Philosophy Department Scholarships & Awards

Submission guidelines for the 2013 Philosophy Essay Competition are now available! See the "News & Events" page for infomration about how to submit your essay. Information is also availabe on flyers posted in various spots in Centennial Hall, including the Philosophy Department office, as well as on the major/minor D2L site.

Please check with the Philosophy Department for information regarding our three scholarships: the White Scholarship, the Roser Scholarship and the Women's Scholarship.

A general description of the scholarships and the essay competition is given below.

James E. White Memorial Endowed Philosophy Scholarship
Alan Phillips initially established this scholarship in 2009. Phillips is an emeritus profess who taught philosophy at SCSU from 1966-1996. In 2011 emeritus professor of philosophy Myron Anderson contributed a substantial sum of money to the scholarship fund in honor of yet another emeritus professor of philosophy, James While.

Recipients of this award must be a declared major or minor in one of the Philosophy Department programs. An overall GPA of at least 3.0 is required. Philosophical ability and involvement in departmental activities may be considered. Previous recipients are eligible. Amount: $500.

Religious Studies/Philosophy Scholarship
Religious Studies Committee members Joseph Edelheit and Jordan Curnutt established this scholarship in 2007. Recipients must be a declared major or minor in one of the Philosophy Department or Religious Studies programs. An overall GPA of at least 3.0 is required. Financial need may be considered. Previous recipients are not eligible. Application information available from Religious Studies Direction Joseph Edelheit. Amount: $500.

Women in Philosophy Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2001 by Kathleen Gill, who in 1987 was the first woman ever hired by the SCSU Philosophy Department in a tenure-track position. Eligible students must be a woman who is a declared major or minor in one of the Philosophy Department programs. An overall GPA of at least 3.0 is required. Philosophical ability and involvement in departmental activities may be considered. Previous recipients are eligible. Amount: $1,000.

Drew Roser Memorial Scholarship
Drew Roser was an exceptionally intelligent and generous person who died from cancer while a student in the early 1990’s. He established this scholarship fund during his illness, and it was awarded for the first time in 1993. Recipients must be declared majors in any two of English, History or Philosophy. A GPA of at least 3.5 in either of the two applicable major fields is required. A short essay must be submitted with the application form. Financial need may be considered. Application forms and essay directions are available in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid starting January 20th. Application deadline is mid-March. Amount: Annual award of at least $750.

Annual Essay Competition
Students are invited to submit six to twelve page philosophical essays to a faculty panel in early April of each year. $400 in prize money is awarded to writers of the two best papers. Students need not be enrolled in philosophy department programs.