O. Ruth McQuown Scholarship Awards
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Florida announces the following O. Ruth McQuown Scholarship Awards. The amount of the awards given each year varies depending on the amount released to the committee. The awards range in size from $300 to $10,000. The purpose of the scholarship is to honor outstanding students. O. Ruth McQuown Scholarship summary (PDF).
The McQuown awards will be made on a competitive basis to students in the fields of Humanities (e.g., Classics, English, History, Philosophy, Religion, and Languages), Social Sciences (e.g., Anthropology, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology), Individual Interdisciplinary Studies (that include social sciences or humanities), and Women’s Studies.
Undergraduate Awards
For undergraduates, awards of varying amounts will be available. In recent years, awards have ranged from $500 to $3,000. The deadline for applications is February 22nd of each year.
Graduate Awards for Current Students
A substantial monetary award will be made to a graduate student who has completed at least one semester of graduate work in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (see appropriate Departments above). Additional awards of varying amounts to supplement assistantships will also be given. Deadline for submission to my office is February 22nd of each year.
All applications, including two letters of recommendation and an essay paper, must be submitted together by the deadline.
Successful applicants must demonstrate excellence in academic achievement in one or more of the qualifying disciplines. Among other qualifications, reviewers will favorably consider, regardless of an applicant's own race or gender: (1) an applicant's commitment to break down barriers, create a welcoming environment, and include individuals who are racial minorities or women (or otherwise reflect broad diversity) in academic, co-curricular, and/or research endeavors; (2) an applicant's success in overcoming barriers—or helping others to overcome barriers (including low socio-economic background)—to academic achievement; and (3) an applicant's commitment to contribute to the student's university, local or larger community. We will holistically and individually assess applicants under all criteria to select those students who best qualify.
For further information contact:
Associate Dean for Behavioral & Social Sciences
Milagros Peña
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
2014 Turlington Hall
P.O. Box 117300
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611
352.392.2230
mpena@ufl.edu
About Dr. McQuown
To those who had the privilege of knowing Dr. O. Ruth McQuown, she is remembered as follows:
- 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 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.
In memory of this friend and colleague (1920-1984), the O. Ruth McQuown Scholarship Award has been established to aid scholars who best exemplify her values, achievements, and commitment to social issues (including addressing issues and fostering opportunities for women, racial minorities and those of low socio-economic background).
These scholarships are 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.
Each awardee’s name will be inscribed on a plaque that will be displayed in Center for Women’s Studies and Gender Research in Ustler Hall.
