"I have no doubt that UMBC prepared me well for medical school," says Hedgepeth. "I received a good background in the sciences, as well as a diverse background in extracurricular activities and community service." Hedgepeth graduated in May from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. He is currently working in Philadelphia for Biosupplies.com, an Internet company in the biosciences area. Next year he'll begin his internship and residency at Harvard Medical School.

The main goal of the Meyerhoff program is to increase the number of minorities, particularly African Americans, who earn advanced degrees in the sciences. The program has expanded from its original focus on African American men to include men and women from a range of racial and ethnic backgrounds who share a dedication to advancing minorities in the sciences.

"I could have just pursued an M.D., but the Meyerhoff program's emphasis on research helped me to realize that it is a powerful tool, and that the biomedical sciences are what actually shape the field of medicine," says Hedgepeth.

One of Hedgepeth's key influences at UMBC was Jay Freyman, ancient studies professor and director of the Honors College. "I took two years of Latin with him, one-on-one, and he really took me under his wing," says Hedgepeth.

"Chester impressed me with his independence and self-discipline," says Freyman. "He was very bright and interested in all kinds of things. He got all As in Latin, but I got the impression that it was important for him to read Latin just to read it, not just to fulfill the language requirement."

Freyman remembers Hedgepeth as "a true scholar," who was curious, able to think critically and was a good listener. "He really is a special person," says Freyman.

Creating a sense of support and a network of bright, like-minded and determined students is key to the success of the Meyerhoff Scholarship Program. "We work with students here on campus, letting them know that they are very important, that we believe in them, and that they have a strong support system here at UMBC," says Earnestine Baker, director of the program.

"We make sure the scholars understand that they are also UMBC students, as well as Meyerhoff scholars," says Baker. "We expect them to be active in other campus activities, and they are. They are tutors, serve as officers in campus organizations, play sports and perform community service."

Hailed as a national model for exceptionally talented minority students by the New York Times and National Science Foundation, the Meyerhoff program celebrated its 11-year anniversary in August.

The two-day celebration, led by President Freeman Hrabowski, co-founder of the Meyerhoff program, high-lighted achievements of the program and its nearly 250 graduates since 1993. Original funding was provided by Baltimore philanthropists Robert and Jane Meyerhoff. Continuing funding is provided by over 50 corporations and foundations, alumni, parents and other individuals.

The program has clearly been a success. Upon graduation, 90 percent of Meyerhoff scholars immediately go on to professional and graduate schools, including some of the most prestigious schools in the country, such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford and Berkeley.

Modest about earning both graduate degrees in seven years, Hedgepeth prefers to praise the program and down play his role as a pioneer and member of the first Meyerhoff class: "Someone had to be first."

The Meyerhoff program receives over 1,000 scholarship nominations annually and enrolls fewer than 50 students each year, focusing on selecting high achievers and then enabling them to meet even higher goals.

Hedgepeth, who grew up in Salisbury, Maryland, learned about the program from his high school guidance counselor. While at UMBC, Hedgepeth also found time to serve as chair of the Inter-Fraternity Council for one year, as chief justice of the University Judicial Board for two years and to play intramural sports.

With almost 250 graduates, nearly all of whom are working toward advanced degrees, and 200 more Meyerhoff scholars currently enrolled at UMBC, Meyerhoffs take with them an undergraduate experience at UMBC that reflects cooperation, a sense of broader responsibility and a desire to innovate.

Denise Elizabeth Lee is a consulting writer and webmaster with the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and is earning a master's degree in library science at the University of Maryland, College Park.