CHSBS Scholarships & Awards

Contact information
Anspach 106
(989) 774-3341
CHSBS@cmich.edu

The following awards and scholarships are given through the Dean's Office in the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences.  Several are available to all majors within CHSBS. Please download the application forms listed below to view the full criteria for each award/scholarship.

 

CHSBS Alumni Fund Award

Criteria: Scholarship awarded annually to three incoming freshmen students who indicate a desire to major in one of the academic departments within the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences.

  • Incoming freshmen
  • Minimum 3.4 high school GPA and ACT score of 25 or higher
  • Must submit a two-page essay that lists qualifications and intended major and letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or counselor

Deadline: March 30, 2012
Award Amount: Minimum of $1,000
View application form
 

 

Gabriel Chien Memorial Scholarship

Gabriel ChienBackground: The Gabriel Chien Memorial Fund was created to honor the memory of Gabriel Chien, a former history professor in the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The award encourages students to look at the world from a global and historical perspective, which was Dr. Chien's lifelong commitment.

Criteria: Scholarship awarded annually to one student who demonstrates an interest in global and historical perspectives through a written essay.

  • Applicant must submit a written essay that focuses on an aspect of Chinese culture, Sino-American relations, or a comparative study of China
  • Preference given to students enrolled in a department within the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Paper should be no longer than 10 pages

Deadline: May 18, 2012
Award Amount: $1,000
View application form

 

Julie L. and John A. Frary Annual Award

Background: An international experience is an invaluable part of a student's education and will provide an international perspective which cannot be fully recreated within the classroom. To promote international study, Julie and John Frary have created an annual award to assist students with costs related to study abroad. Julie Frary is a CMU alumnae who majored in Sociology and minored in Psychology.

Criteria: Award given annually to an Honors Program student enrolled in the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences who is planning to spend a semester studying abroad.

  • Student must be in good standing with the Honors Program
  • Applicant must submit a written essay providing a brief autobiography, a description of educational goals and professional or career aspirations, and a list of study abroad objectives
  • Applicant must submit a letter of recommendation from a CMU faculty member
  • Preference given to students with financial need as determined by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
  • Funding must be approved through the Office of International Education

Deadline: February 24, 2012 (5:00 p.m.) to be eligible for a Summer 2012 award.
Award Amount: $1,000
View application form

 

The Honorable Fred M. MesterThe Honorable Fred M. and Lynne M. Mester Family Endowment

Background: This endowment was established to recognize 1959 CMU graduate Judge Fred Mester's legacy as a respected friend, colleague, and mentor.  Judge Mester's distinguished judicial career spans more than 26 years with the Oakland County Circuit Court. He also is a former prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney's Office.  As a chief of the Civil Division, prior to his judicial career, Judge Mester served in the Military as a Captain in the United Sates Army.

This endowment also honors Judge Mester's wife, Lynne, a 1959 CMU graduate holding a degree in Education with a major in Social Studies and minors in Biology and English. 

Criteria: This award provides scholarship support to full-time CMU undergraduate students in the following Departments: English Language and Literature; Political Science; and Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work. In addition, ROTC cadets, regardless of area of study, are eligible.  This scholarship may be renewed for up to one year.

  • Preference given to students with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Preference given to students with a history of active involvement in community service with leadership qualities on the local or state community level. 
  • Recipients should demonstrate the spirit of actively trying to better the world around them through assertive action. 
  • Applicants must submit a one- to two-page personal essay that describes his/her intended major, a description of community service activities, and a statement reflecting why he/she deserves this scholarship.
  • Applicants must submit two letters of support/recommendation. At least one should be from a CMU faculty member. If possible, a letter from a service organization should be submitted.

Deadline: March 30, 2012
Award Amount: $1,000
View application form

 

G. William Quine Scholarship

Background: This scholarship was established in 1982 by CMU alumnus G. William Quine, '57.

Criteria: Earnings from the endowment will be awarded annually to a Michigan resident student pursuing the liberal arts curriculum without regard to financial need or academic standing. The recipient must be a full-time student. The scholarship is renewable and is limited to $500 per recipient.

  • Applicant must submit a one- or two-page narrative describing career plans, biographical information (size of family, hometown, etc.), hobbies or outside interests, and volunteerism history. Applicant should also make a statement about why he/she is deserving of this scholarship and how it would impact his/her educational experience.

Deadline: March 30, 2012
Award Amount: $500
View application form 

 

Michael R. and Carol Reno Scholarship for Academic Excellence

Michael R. RenoBackground: This endowment is funded through gifts from Michael R. and Carol Reno. Michael received a bachelor's degree from CMU in 1973 and a master's degree from CMU in 1980. He is the president of IXL Glass Company.

Criteria: Scholarship awarded annually to one incoming freshman student who plans to attend CMU and indicates a desire to major in one of the academic departments within the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The scholarship is renewable.

  • Incoming freshman
  • Primary resident of the state of Michigan
  • Preference for a minimum 3.5 GPA and/or composite ACT of 24 or higher
  • Must submit one letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or counselor
  • Must submit a one or two-page essay that describes the discipline in CHSBS that the applicant plans to major in and why the applicant is deserving of this scholarship

Deadline: March 30, 2012
Award Amount: $2,000
View application form
 

Shapiro Prize in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Dr. E. Gary ShapiroBackground: This endowment is funded through gifts from Dr. E. Gary and Myra Shapiro. Dr. Shapiro has dedicated more than 30 years of service to Central Michigan University and currently serves as interim executive vice president/provost. He has been a CMU sociology professor since 1978 and an administrator since 1989, including serving as director of institutional research; assistant vice provost of institutional research and planning; interim registrar (1994-1995); and associate dean of arts and sciences. He became the first dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral sciences in July 1997. He also served as interim provost in 2007.

Criteria: Prize awarded to the student who has written the best social or behavioral science research paper based upon empirical data during the year. The award is not renewable.

  • Undergraduate students
  • Topic of the paper may be in the areas of any of the disciplines located within the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences

Deadline: May 18, 2012
Award Amount: $500
View application form

 

Student Paper Competition

Criteria: Award presented annually for papers written for CHSBS classes (300 level and above) during the previous academic year.

  • Undergraduate and graduate students
  • Applicants can submit research papers, essays, creative works, theoretical papers, reviews of research, or papers presented at professional conferences

Deadline: May 18, 2012
Award Amount: Undergraduate winners $500; Graduate winners $750
View application form

 

Student Study Abroad Grant

Background: An international experience is an invaluable part of a student's education and will provide an international perspective which cannot be fully recreated within the classroom. To promote international study, the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences has created a small fund to assist students with costs related to study abroad.

Criteria:

  • Full-time matriculated CMU undergraduate or graduate student at the time of application
  • Approved through the Office of International Education
  • Minimum GPA of 2.8 for undergraduate students or 3.3 for graduate student
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • At the time of study abroad, undergraduate students must reach sophomore standing or above with a signed major or minor in the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Graduate students must complete a minimum of one semester of study within a College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences' program.

Deadline: Ongoing. Requests will be reviewed and applicants notified via e-mail in 2 to 3 weeks.
Award Amount: Varies (dependent upon the amount of funding available)
View Application Form

 

John E. Warriner Scholarship

Background: The John E. Warriner Scholarship was established through an estate gift from the late Dr. John E. Warriner. John was the author of Warriner's Handbook of English and a six volume series titled English Grammar and Composition. He was the son of Eugene C. Warriner, former CMU president.

Criteria: Several scholarships awarded annually to students majoring in economics, English, foreign languages, history, journalism, philosophy, political science, religion, speech or sociology.

  • Junior or senior standing or regular admission to graduate school for fall semester
  • Minimum 3.25 GPA
  • Based on financial need

Deadline: March 30, 2012
Award Amount: Minimum of $3,000
View application form