Scholarships/Awards

Russell M. Robinson II Scholarship

The Russell M. Robinson ll Graduate Scholarship in English was established in 1990 by Sally and Russell Robinson to support the recruitment of exceptional graduate students into the Master of Arts in English program. The scholarship of $4000 (renewable in the second year) is awarded to an outstanding student entering the English M.A. program who has an excellent undergraduate record, evidence of commitment to graduate studies in English as well as leadership abilities in college and community organizations.

Students must apply at scholarships.charlottewp.psapp.dev. For more details, download a PDF of the Russell M. Robinson II Scholarship. Applications are due March 1.

Previous Robinson Scholars are Michael Fulton, James Harris, Brian Holcomb, Cristin Stone, Theresa Martus, Lindsay Cobb, Pamela Hanscom, Elizabeth Smith, Julie Mayes, Paula Rawlins, Bryan Nakawaki, Elaine Hill, Carrie Sippy, Megan Weaver, Sarah Davis, Robin Kello, Cara DeLoach, Ryan Weber, Mishael Lazzara, Shannon Murphy, Kristina Duemmler, Rhian Parker, and Briahna Henry.

Ruff Graduate Research Scholarship

Tom and Ellen Ruff have generously established this award, which provides summer scholarships to M.A. candidates in the Department of English for work on their scholarly or creative theses. Two scholarships of $2,500 are awarded each year.

For more details, download a PDF of the Ruff Graduate Research Scholarship. Applications are due April 14.

Previous Ruff Scholars are Aly Jordan, Britt Olson, Sarah Willey, C. J. Atsavinh, Kristina Duemmler, Paul Hunter, Mikayla Marlow, Amanda Stockett, and Sophie Yates.

Mark West Study Away/Study Abroad Award

Barbara and Twig Branch have generously endowed this award in honor of Professor Mark West’s scholarship and teaching that have inspired students to engage cultures beyond Charlotte. Each year, two $2500 awards will support English B.A. and M.A. students whose research questions and academic interests require travel outside of NC. Students taking a study abroad course or traveling to archives or libraries to conduct research are eligible.

Submit the following materials to the Chair of the English Department by a date to be announced:
• Personal Statement (800-1000 words) that explains how the proposed travel will support your research and academic interests. It should also discuss how your academic and personal qualifications make you a deserving candidate for the scholarship.
• The name and contact information of a professor at UNC Charlotte (or previous academic institution) willing to serve as a reference.

Students who are traveling abroad should work with the Office of Education Abroad (OEA) and complete Study Abroad 101 prior to the application deadline. Within two weeks of their return to Charlotte, recipients must submit to Chair of the English Department a one-page report on how the grant advanced their project or education. Recipients completing a thesis in the M.A. program must submit a bound copy of the finished thesis to Chair of the English Department, to be given to the donors.

Questions? Undergraduates can contact Dr. Miller (). Graduate students can contact Dr. Vetter ().

The Margaret B. Bryan Award for Undergraduate Excellence

This award is given to an undergraduate for academic excellence in English. It honors the memory of Margaret Bryan, a valued member of the English Department faculty until her death in 1975. The award is provided by Mr. Bill Bryan. Nominations must come from faculty.

The Robert M. Wallace Award for Undergraduate Excellence

This award is also given to an undergraduate for academic excellence in the study of English. This award is presented in memory of Dr. Bob Wallace, the first person to serve as Chair for the UNC Charlotte Department of English. Nominations must come from faculty.

The Anne R. Newman Graduate Student Award

Provided by Dr. Paul R. Newman, this award is given to the most outstanding graduate student who has completed the M.A. degree in English during the past year. This award is permanently endowed by a gift from her husband in order to honor the memory of Anne Newman, a valued member of the English Department at the time of her passing in 1982. Nominations must come from faculty.

The J. Murrey Atkins Library Graduate Student Award

Sponsored by the Atkin’s Library, this award is given to an outstanding graduate student in English who has shown a strong commitment to professional development and academic excellence through any of the following: publication, research, national awards, grants, fellowships, conference presentations, acceptance to MFA or PhD programs, service in professional organizations, editing, teaching, community engagement, public service, or other distinction in any area of English studies. Nominations must come from faculty.

The Kay Horne Public Service Award

Named in honor of Kay Horne who served this department as Administrative Assistant for 26 years, this award is given to an undergraduate English major with an outstanding GPA who has made a significant contribution in the area of public service outside the University. Nominations may be made by faculty or students (students may also nominate themselves); nominations should document the student’s public service.

The Paul Kurzeja Creative Writing Award for Fiction or Poetry

This award is given for excellence in the Creative Writing Program. Students should be junior or senior English majors or graduate students and have taken at least one 4000- or 5000- level creative writing course; students with Creative Writing Concentrations preferred. GPA of 3.0 or higher within ENGL courses. Nominations must come from faculty.

The Sandra Y. Govan Award for Excellence in African American Literature

This award is given to a promising undergraduate who has expressed and demonstrated a strong interest in African-American literature and culture and who plans to continue research and study in a graduate program. Nominations must come from faculty.

The Julian D. Mason Award

This award is given to an outstanding graduate student with an interest in literature, especially Southern Literature. Nominations must come from faculty.

The James H. McGavran Award

This award is given in recognition of the outstanding contributions of one undergraduate and one graduate student in the areas of nature writing and writing about place. James H. McGavran served the Department of English and UNC Charlotte for 41 years; the award is designed to be a tribute to his legacy. Nominations must come from faculty.

The John McNair Undergraduate Award in Technical/Professional Award

This award is given to one outstanding undergraduate and an outstanding graduate student in the Department of English in the area of Technical/Professional Writing. Nominations must come from faculty.

The Anita Moss and Glenn Burne Award

The ANITA MOSS and GLENN BURNE award is given for excellence in children’s literature scholarship. These two awards are given, respectively, to an undergraduate and graduate English student for excellence in Children’s Literature Scholarship, as demonstrated by a paper written during the current academic year. Nominations must come from faculty.

The Blair Rudes Award for Excellence in Linguistics

This award is presented to an undergraduate or graduate student for academic excellence in the study of linguistics. The award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Blair Rudes, an expert in Native American languages, who taught in the Department of English from 1999 until his death in 2008. Nominations must come from faculty.