Scholarships, Awards, & Internships
Several scholarships, awards, and fellowships are available to undergraduates majoring in English at UF.
- Lipsky Awards
- O. Ruth McQuown Awards
- Norton Scholar’s Prize
- Sigma Tau Delta Scholarships
- University Women’s Club Scholarships
- Other UF Scholarships
For a list of companies and organizations where UF English students have worked as paid and unpaid interns, see the following page:
Lipsky Awards
Each year, the English Department offers a few awards restricted to English majors. These are the Lipsky book awards – usually five awards of $200 each – the purpose of which is to defray the cost of textbooks. They will be awarded in April. Students applying for the Lipsky awards must have a GPA in upper-division (3000 and 4000 level) English courses of 3.2 or higher. Applicants must submit a personal statement (not exceeding two pages) explaining their need for this support and their own sense of qualification for it. They must also submit at least one letter of recommendation from an English Department faculty member.
Since financial need was specified as a primary criterion by the donor, applicants must also complete the Fee Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the Office for Student Financial Affairs (S107 Criser Hall). This must be on file, since that office will determine for us which applicants are eligible for need-based scholarships.
The application materials should be submitted to Dr. John Murchek in 4012-E, Turlington Hall, no later than 4:00 PM Friday, March 21, 2003.
O. Ruth McQuown Awards
About Dr. McQuown: To those who had the privilege of knowing Dr. O. Ruth McQuown, she is remembered as:
- An outstanding student of Political Science both at the University of Kentucky from which she received her bachelor’s degree with honors in 1942 and at the University of Florida, from which she received her doctorate in 1961.
- An active professional colleague who taught convincingly, did research on urban politics and public administration, published, and often served as a consultant on government policies.
- One of the first women to become a dean at the University of Florida.
- A female faculty member who asked the question, “Why can’ t women belong to Blue Key?” and then proceeded to work on the answer; in 1978 she was awarded the Florida Blue Key Distinguished Faculty Award.
- An administrator with a rare combination of competence and humanity.
- A human being with a marvelous infectious laugh.
- A Gainesville resident whose involvement in all aspects of local government where equal opportunity and fairness were issues was recognized by the Gainesville City Commissioners proclaiming special recognition to Dr. O. Ruth McQuown on August 6, 1984.
- A special person who was always there for her many friends and associates whenever they needed her.
In memory of this friend and colleague (1920–1984), the O. Ruth McQuown Scholarship Award has been established to aid women scholars who best exemplify her values, achievements, and commitment to social issues, including gender, race, and class.
About the Award
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) at the University of Florida has established the O. Ruth McQuown Scholarship Awards to honor outstanding undergraduate and graduate female students. One undergraduate award will be for $3,000, with up to four additional awards of at least $1,000 each. May be nominated by a faculty member or by herself.
Eligibility Requirements
- Students must be in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, applying for admission to the College or planning to apply.
- Major in Humanities (e.g., Classics, English, History, Philosophy, Languages), Social Sciences (e.g., Anthropology, Communication Studies, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology), Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities and the Social Sciences, or Women’s Studies.
Applications
Applications must be accompanied by two letters of recommendation from UF faculty. Undergraduate applications must be received by February 23.
For Applications and Further Information
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
2014 Turlington Hall
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida 32611
(352) 392-6800
This scholarship is made possible through the private donations of numerous friends of O. Ruth McQuown, the estate of O. Ruth McQuown and of her sister, Johanna Watts, and matching funds from the State of Florida.
Norton Scholar’s Prize
For Excellence in Undergraduate Literary Scholarship: This Prize will be awarded to the best undergraduate essay on an author, work, period, or other aspect of American literature.
The essay (typed or printed, double-spaced) should be 1,750–3,000 words in length and should follow the latest MLA guidelines regarding format and citation of original sources. Students must include their name, permanent address (where they can be reached during summer months), permanent phone number, projected year of graduation, and title of the paper on the title page.
Each entry must be accompanied by a cover letter on departmental stationery from a nominating instructor. Each instructor may nominate only one essay for consideration.
The Norton Scholar will receive a cash award of $2,500 plus transportation to the yearly meeting of the Modern Language Association, where the award will be presented. The Scholar’s nominating instructor will also receive transportation to the meeting.
Four runners-up will each receive a cash award of $1,000.
Entries should be sent to the following address:
The Norton Scholar’s Prize
Attn: Peter Simon
W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10110
Winners will be notified. All essays become the property of W.W. Norton & Company, and will not be returned. In addition, W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. reserves the right to reprint essays for promotional or educational purposes.
Sigma Tau Delta Scholarships
Students who are members of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, and wish to be considered for one of the following need to see Dr. James Paxson in 4415 Turlington by October 15. Only one student’s application will be chosen from each category to be forwarded to the national Sigma Tau Delta office.
Sigma Tau Delta annually accepts applications for the P.C. Somerville Award of $1,000 to a student who will be teaching English and/or language arts in an Elementary, Middle, or High School the academic year following graduation.
Each chapter may nominate one student for the award. Applications are due November 30. The recipient of the award will be announced by March 31.
Sigma Tau Delta also accepts applications for scholarships of $1,750 each. Applicants are considered in the following categories: (1) students who are juniors at the time of application and who will be enrolled as college seniors during the scholarship’s term; (2) students who are seniors at the time of application and who will be enrolled as graduate students in English during the scholarship’s term; and (3) students who are graduate students in English at the time of application and who will continue as such during the scholarship’s term. Applications are due November 30 and awards will be announced by March 31.
Each chapter may nominate one student in each of these award categories. Scholarships awarded each spring must be used during the next academic year.
Sigma Tau Delta accepts applications for the Regnery Scholarships of $2,500 each. All students applying for one of the $1,750 scholarships may also choose to apply for a Regnery Scholarship.
Application deadline is November 30. Regnery Scholarships are awarded each spring and must be used during the next academic year.
University Women’s Club Scholarships
Junior and Senior Achievement Award Scholarships: The University Women’s Club presents Achievement Award Scholarships to undergraduate Juniors and Seniors each spring. The Awards are named for the wives of past University of Florida Presidents and distinguished administrators, and are given in recognition of student scholarship and leadership. Each of the Awards is for $1,000.
The requirements for consideration include full time enrollment at the University of Florida, current Junior or Senior status, a minimum 3.6 GPA, and earnest participation in community and/or campus activities.
The annual deadline for nominations for the Awards varies, but is usually at the start of the Spring semester. For more information, contact Professor John Perlette (TUR 4012C, <jperlett@english.ufl.edu>) or Dr. John Murchek (TUR 4012E, <jmurchek@english.ufl.edu>).
Other UF Scholarships
See these pages for information regarding scholarships and fellowships offered by UF and by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS):
Scholarship-related materials are also available in printed form in the CLAS Dean’s Office, 2014 Turlington Hall.
