The Hefners stated, "This fund will allow us, through the Kennedy School, to participate in the building of long-term positive relations between America and China , a relationship we believe to be the defining global relationship of the 21st century".

• The first Hefner Fellow, Chen Chunmei, sponsored by the Hefner China Fund, attended the 2005/06 Mason Program.  She graduated in June 2006.
• The Hefner Awardees for 2005/06 were:
  Ada Ho • Alene Tchourumoff • Cheng Zhu • Erick Nielsen • Jiming Cai • Nolan Miller • Phillipp Silas Kruger • Wei Chen • Wei Ha • Yi Sun
• The 2006/07 Hefner Fellows of the Mason Program sponsored by the Hefner China Fund were Li Zhang and Lin Yang. They graduated in June 2007.

• The Hefner China Fund 2008/09 sponsored one student from China to attend the one-year Master in Public Administration Program at the LKYSPP.  Hefner Fellow Li Chunlin graduated in July 2009.
• The Hefner China Fund 2007/08 sponsored two students to attend the one-year MPA program at the LKYSPP.  Hefner Fellows Yin Shuming and Willow Darsie  graduated in July 2008.
• The Hefner China Fund 2006/07 sponsored two students to attend the one-year MPA program at the LKYSPP.  Hefner Fellows were Liu Yubin and Xu Zhanguo who graduated in July 2007.
• The Hefner China Fund 2005/06 sponsored two students from
  China to attend the two-year Master in Public Policy Program at
  the school.  Hefner Fellows Huang Bingliang and Hou Yongsen
  graduated in December 2006.

(to view the Hefner Tribute Page click here)

We thank our Chinese visitors for participating. Thank you, Hefner Awardees:

Chu Shulong, Director, lnstitute of Strategic Studies; Professor of Political Science, School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University
Cui Liru, President, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations
Huang Ping, Director General, Bureau of International Cooperation & Exchanges; Professor of Sociology, Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Ma Jun, Director, Institute of Public Environment
Ruan Zongze, Vice President, China Institute of International Studies
Wang Jisi, Dean, School of International Studies, Peking University

The two awards are based on the following qualifications:

* High School Seniors from Cheyenne High School, Oklahoma
* ACT Score (College Entrance Exam)
* GPA (Grade Point Average) for High school years
* Resume submitted by the student
* Essay on their view in regard to "US/China relationship"

A committee of teachers will review the entries and submit the semi-finalists for the Hefners to assess and announce the two winners.

Each award consists of a 10-day trip to China (i.e., a package tour with return air tickets and accommodation paid for by the Hefner China Fund) and the Hefners will announce the destinations of the award at a later date.

On their return, the two winners are required to write about their trip and a follow up essay on their view in regard to "US/China relationship", whether their views remained or changed. The Hefners also encourage the winners to give talks to their community and share their experiences with family, friends and fellow students.

• The "Hefner Initiative-Cheyenne" Award for Year 2007/08 winners were Jordan Lindberg and Shannon Collins.
• The "Hefner Initiative-Cheyenne" Award for Year 2006/07 winners were Katrina Schroeder and Jonathan Walker.
• The "Hefner Initiative-Cheyenne" Award for Year 2005/06 winners were Ashton Musick and Patrick VerSteeg.