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