English Department Scholarships
2014-2015
Applications Due: March 3, 2014
The English Department and the UWEC Foundation are pleased to announce the following scholarship opportunities
for English majors at UWEC. Please note that scholarship amounts listed are the maximum amounts distributed at
any given time; actual award amounts may be lower due to market fluctuations. Additional information about these
scholarships can be found on the Foundation website: http://www.uwec.edu/oakdev/fou800/criteria/CATENGL.htm
Jane Colville Betts English Scholarship, $700
This scholarship was established in 2011 in honor of UWEC English professor Jane Colville Betts, who taught creative
writing, literature, and composition for 20 years. Dr. Betts lived in a time when her father was not unusual in saying,
“Women don’t need to go to college.” After World War II, he changed his mind, and she had the great happiness of four
years at Wilson College, a bachelor degree program for women in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where she enjoyed great
help and attention from faculty. In her retirement, she has published a book of her poems to leave to her daughter and
grandchildren and her husband and friends.
To be eligible for the Jane Colville Betts English Scholarship, the English-major applicant must:
 Demonstrate an enthusiastic and mature grasp of the subject matter through their class work.
 Have financial need verified by the Office of Financial Aid (Verification of Need form, available from the Office of
Financial Aid, must accompany application).
 Write a personal essay or a fictionalized short story or poem illustrating the motivation or inspiration for becoming an
English major, and any difficulties that may have been encountered and surmounted on the way to becoming a college
student. Examples, among many possible, include the life experiences of a single parent or a returning veteran.
Les Gilbertson Scholarship, two awards at $400 each
This is the oldest scholarship currently available to English majors.
To be eligible for the Les Gilbertson Scholarship, the English-major applicant must:
 Be a first-year student at the time of application (a sophomore at the time the award is received).
 Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
John W. Morris Scholarship, $3,700
This scholarship was established in 2003 in honor of UWEC English professor John W. Morris, an academic renaissance
man, with undergraduate degrees in naval science and mathematics and graduate degrees in English. An inspiring teacher
and skilled administrator for 32 years, Dr. Morris instilled in students his own love of learning along with his delight in
language and literature. Firmly committed to the idea of service to his professions, he was influential in the early growth of
the Wisconsin Council of Teachers of English and directly involved in the development of new programs at UWEC, from
Nursing to Studies Abroad, Computer Science, and Philosophy and Religious Studies. To support his commitment to liberal
education, the John W. Morris scholarship is offered to an outstanding English student with a liberal arts focus.
To be eligible for the John W. Morris Scholarship, the applicant must:
 Be enrolled in any English major emphasis program except teaching.
 Have junior status as defined by the University (60-90 credits) in the fall when the award is received.
 Have an overall GPA of 3.5 or better.
 Among the students meeting the above criteria, preference will be given to those students who demonstrate a broad
range of interests in English and beyond.
Clara B. Small Memorial English Scholarship, $1,900
This scholarship was established in 1982 by UWEC professors Nadine S. and Robert V. St. Louis to honor Nadine’s
mother, Clara B. Small, who though she never had the opportunity to finish high school, was a life-long learner and
inspired her daughter to excel.
To be eligible for the Clara B. Small Memorial English Scholarship, the English-major applicant must:
 Be a non-traditional student, enrolled at least half-time.
 Have a GPA of 3.5 or better.
Gloria Hochstein English Student Opportunity Grant, $500
This fund was established in 2007 by UWEC professor Gloria Hochstein to encourage English majors and minors to take
advantage of value-added educational experiences in English-related activities in addition to their classroom experiences.
Some examples of qualifying activities include, but are not limited to, the following: provide leadership for Sigma Tau
Delta activities or English Fest, develop outreach programs to inspire young students to hone their writing and reading
skills, engage in undergraduate research experiences, support research and writing leading to presentation or publication.
To be eligible for the Gloria Hochstein English Opportunity Scholarship, the English-major/minor applicant must:
 Be an active member of the Theta Zeta chapter of Sigma Tau Delta. Applicants are encouraged but not required to
apply for membership in the international Sigma Tau Delta organization.
 Write a project proposal outlining a plan to enhance their education by pursuing an activity outside the classroom,
justifying the need for project funding, and establishing a timeline for the project.
 Among the students meeting the criteria, preference will be given to those who have a demonstrated financial need
(Verification of Need form, available from the Office of Financial Aid, must accompany application).
Scholarships for English Education Students
In addition to the stated criteria, recommendations from teachers and advisors and other information to help determine
promise of success as a middle school or secondary public school teacher of English may be considered.
Nan Dougherty English Education Scholarship, $1,100
This scholarship was established in 2006 in honor of Nan Dougherty, who taught English at UWEC for nearly 20 years
from 1967-1988. Mrs. Dougherty was a former president of the Wisconsin Council of Teachers of English, and was wellknown and beloved by her colleagues, friends, and former students.
To be eligible for the scholarship, the applicant must:
 Be enrolled in the Comprehensive or Standard English Teaching major and demonstrate intent to be an English teacher.
 Have junior status as defined by the University (60-90 credits) in the fall when the award is received.
 Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
 Have financial need verified by the Office of Financial Aid (Verification of Need form, available from the Office of
Financial Aid, must accompany application).
Elizabeth G. Morris Scholarship, $5,000
This scholarship was established in 1999 in honor of UWEC English professor Elizabeth Morris, who loved the English
language – its words, grammar, and structure – every bit as much as its power to paint pictures, tell stories, communicate
ideas. A devoted teacher and scholar herself, she believed that one of the most important challenges the university faced
was not just to train teachers but to educate them in the disciplines they would be taking out into the schools of Wisconsin.
In particular she wanted to know that those who taught the language she loved shared both her passion and her expertise,
and to that end she directed her efforts for twenty-four years in the UWEC Department of English.
To be eligible for the Elizabeth G. Morris scholarship, the applicant must:
 Be enrolled in the Comprehensive or Standard English Teaching major and demonstrate intent to be an English teacher.
 Have senior status as defined by the University (90+ credits) in the fall when the award is received.
 Have an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher.
 Among the students meeting the above criteria, preference will be given to those students who demonstrate a broad
range of interests in English.
Maurice & Alma Swan English Teacher Education Scholarship, $1,000
This scholarship was established in 2005 in honor of Maurice & Alma Swan, parents of the then-President of the UWEC
Foundation, Carole Swan Halberg. The Swan’s believed their daughter would be an English teacher and were surprised
when she chose a different career path. The scholarship was established to attach Mr. and Mrs. Swan’s names to the
teaching profession and to demonstrate their high regard for public education.
To be eligible for the Maurice & Alma Swan English Teacher Education scholarship, the applicant must:
 Be enrolled in the Comprehensive or Standard English Teaching major and demonstrate intent to be an English teacher.
 Be student teaching or preparing to student teach in a public school at the time of the award
 Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better.
 Among students meeting the above criteria, women and students with financial need will receive priority (Verification
of Need form, available from the Office of Financial Aid, must accompany application).
English Department Scholarships
Application Procedures & Cover Sheet
Due: March 3, 2014 at 4:00 pm
If you are eligible for more than one scholarship, you may apply for them together. Please indicate below
and in your letter of application which scholarships you are applying for.
I meet all criteria for and am applying for the following scholarship(s):
Jane Colville Betts English Scholarship*
Les Gilbertson Scholarship
John W. Morris Scholarship
Clara B. Small Scholarship*
Gloria Hochstein English Opportunity Grant*
Nan Dougherty English Education Scholarship*
Elizabeth G. Morris Scholarship
Maurice & Alma Swan Teacher Education Scholarship*
*If you are applying for any of the starred scholarships, you must include a completed Verification of Need
form, available from the Office of Financial Aid, Schofield 115, with your application.
I.
Contact Information
Name:
ID Number:
Address:
Phone:
II. References
Identify two UWEC English professors who can speak to your qualifications (no letter needed).
_____________________________________
______________________________________
III. Resume & Transcript
Provide a resume and a current (unofficial) transcript.
IV. Letter of Application
Write a formal letter of application to the English Department Scholarship Selection Committee. The application
letter is an opportunity for you to showcase your communication skills. In the letter, identify the scholarship(s)
you are applying for, explain and illustrate how you meet the scholarship criteria, and make an effort to persuade
the scholarship committee that you are a worthy candidate. If you are applying for more than one scholarship, be
sure to address the criteria for both scholarships in your letter of application. The Center for Writing Excellence
(http://www.uwec.edu/writing/index.htm) can provide support to help you write a strong letter of application.
V. Verification of Need Form
If demonstrated financial need is a requirement or priority of the scholarship, you must include a completed
Verification of Need form, available from the Office of Financial Aid, Schofield 115.
Submit all application materials with this cover sheet to bensonej@uwec.edu or to the English
Department Office (Centennial 4102) by 4 pm on March 3, 2014. Incomplete or late applications will not
be considered. Award announcements will be mailed to the address you provide.