The Scholarship

This scholarship was established to honor the contributions of Dr. Eddie Carol Smith who served as Graduate Dean from 1993 until 1999, and Vice President of Research from 1995 until 1999. The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage research and creative activity among graduate students, and to recognize the significant contributions of these graduate students to our society. The Eddie Carol Smith Scholarship is a one-year award that will go to a graduate student whose research / capstone project either opens a new area of scholarly endeavor or significantly expands an existing area of scholarly endeavor. A committee will select the recipient during the spring semester, and the Scholarship will begin the following fall semester. Applicants must be near the end of their degree requirements, as it is expected that the academic year during which the student serves as the Eddie Carol Smith Scholar is also the academic year in which the student will complete the degree.

The Award

• $2,000 in professional development funds. These funds may be used to assist with the research project (i.e., data-collection, supplies & equipment, etc); to assist with the preparation of the final dissertation, thesis, or capstone project; or for travel to either present the research/project or to collect data for the research/project.
• full tuition waiver for both the Fall and Spring semesters of the award year

Eligibility Criteria

Any department offering a graduate degree on the Norman Campus may submit nominations for this Scholarship.

To qualify for the Scholarship an applicant

• must be a graduate student on the Norman campus
• must carry at least a 3.60 grade point average in all coursework for the degree
• must be approaching the “last” year of the graduate degree
• must be engaged in either a doctoral dissertation, master’s thesis, or master’s capstone project
• must be recommended for the Award by the major professor
• must have the endorsement and support of the department and the budget college dean

[Please note: the recipient need not hold a graduate assistantship during the year of the award]

Nomination Process

Nomination packages are due in the Graduate College by February 15. Nomination materials must include

• a copy of the student’s completed Candidacy Form for Master’s applicants or a copy of the student’s completed Advisory Conference Report for doctoral applicants
• a current copy of the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae
• a Research Statement prepared by the applicant. This statement should include a detailed description of the research / project. The statement must be readable by an interdisciplinary audience. It should be written in a grant proposal format rather than as an abstract of a work already completed. It should clearly identify the scholarly issues being addressed in the research / project. It should outline the tasks that will be performed to complete the research/project. If applicable, it should include any early conclusions or preliminary findings.
• a brief budget/financial statement indicating the proposed use of the professional development funds in conjunction to the research/project.
• a Reference Letter prepared by the applicant’s major professor. This letter should speak to the ability of the student to complete the proposed research/project and the current status of the research/project (i.e., prospectus completed, conducting research, etc.). It should also describe the scholarly significance and potential impact of the proposed research/project, as well as the expected time-frame for the applicant to complete the degree.
• an Endorsement Signature of the applicant’s Graduate Liaison or Department Chair
• an Endorsement Signature of the applicant’s Budget College Dean or designated representative

Selection Process

An ad hoc committee selected from members of the Graduate Council will review the nominations immediately following the deadline and recommend a recipient to the Graduate Dean. The recipient will be included in the Annual Graduate College Fellowship Award Ceremony & Booklet.

Application Deadline  February 15