Binyam ’26 earns prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholarship
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has selected Binyam Dunne '26 to be a Morehead-Cain Scholar. The highly selective scholarship includes the full cost of attending UNC-Chapel Hill for four years of study as well as numerous enrichment opportunities.
Binyam Dunne '26 has earned the Morehead-Cain Scholarship at the University of North Carolina, perhaps the most difficult scholarship to earn, along with the Jefferson Scholarship at the University of Virginia, among the many heralded merit scholarships at universities around the country.
He is one of 69 scholars representing thirty-three North Carolina counties, 15 states and the District of Columbia, and seven countries. Their academic interests span the sciences, health professions, public policy, business, and the humanities, from biomedical engineering and environmental science to philosophy, languages, and music. In addition to a fully funded undergraduate scholarship to one of the nation’s foremost public research universities, Binyam and scholars gain access to a network of peers and mentors, challenging internships and summer experiences, and an opportunity to travel the world.
As a 2025 Lois McMullan Scholar at USN, Binyam is among a small group of seniors who have led the school community during their final year. He serves as Student Council Secretary, Community Action Day Committee Co-Chair, Secretary General of Tennessee Model United Nations, as a Floor Leader for Youth in Government, and as a Tennessee delegate to the U.S. Senate Youth Program. He is a Peer Educator and Assistant, and he captains the state runner-up Mock Trial team and track & field team. Earlier this year, he spoke on the Senate floor of the Tennessee General Assembly about his experience with the Tennessee Center for Civic Engagement. He will also serve on the Tennessee delegation to the Conference on National Affairs this summer before beginning his time as a Morehead-Cain Scholar. Through the Morehead-Cain Program, he will take an international gap year before he returns to study global studies and peace, war, and defense at Carolina.
The process of selecting the new class of Morehead-Cain Scholars occurs over the course of six months and includes application review, virtual and in-person interviews, and other activities. The selection process relies on the expertise of foundation staff and hundreds of alumni interviewers and volunteer evaluators. Candidates enter the process via nomination from a partnering school or program (all eligible in-state students may apply through self-nomination). The UNC Office of Undergraduate Admissions also refers strong Early Action applicants to the process.
“We welcome the newest Morehead-Cain Scholars at a moment when principled leadership has never mattered more,” said Chris Bradford, president of the Morehead-Cain Foundation. “These scholars were chosen not only for their intellect and capacity for leadership, but for the strength of their character. By joining the Morehead-Cain Program, we challenge them to pursue lives defined by moral ambition, not just achievement.”
Since its founding in 1945, the Morehead-Cain Program has been a model for countless merit scholarships throughout the United States and the world. These include the University of Virginia’s Jefferson Scholars Program, Duke University’s Benjamin N. Duke Scholars Program, and Emory University’s Woodruff Scholars Program.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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Back Lawn transforms with turf field, track
Expect to see an active construction site as students, families, and faculty return to the Edgehill Campus. Progress continues on USN's most anticipated campus improvement of summer 2026.Read More -
Curricular travel opportunities return for the 2026-2027 school year
Read MoreUniversity School of Nashville is excited to announce the return of curricular travel opportunities. Student applications for the 2026-2026 school year will open Friday, August 21, 2026. Additional details, including, financial aid processes, and application timelines, will be shared with families soon.Please contact K-12 Director of Experiential Learning Kalee Barbis with any questions, kbarbis@usn.org. -
Back-to-school Popsicle Party cancelled
Mother Nature is not cooperating for our annual Popsicle Party. Depending on which weather app you use, actual and feels-like temperatures are 98 to 101 and higher. Under these conditions, we would limit student activities, so, in the interest of everyone's health and well-being, we are going to cancell our gathering at the River Campus. There is just not enough shade and certainly no air conditioning to bring relief to hundreds of USN families. Thank you for understanding. We look forward to seeing you in a few days for the start of our new school year.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.