The Beth B. Hess Memorial Scholarship

History and Overview

The Beth B. Hess Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to an advanced sociology Ph.D. student who began her or his study in a community college or technical school. A student advanced to candidacy (ABD status) in an accredited Ph.D. program in sociology in the U.S. is eligible to apply if she or he studied at a U.S. two-year college either part-time or full-time for the equivalent of at least one full academic year that was not part of a high-school dual-enrollment program.

The Scholarship carries a stipend of $15,000 from Sociologists for Women in Society (SWS) with assistance from the Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP) to be used to support the pursuit of a Ph.D., as well as one-year memberships in SWS (including a subscription to Gender & Society) and SSSP. The first award payment of $7500 will be given at the SWS Summer banquet, with the second $7500 payment to come at the SWS Winter meeting.  Recognizing Beth Hess’s significant contributions to the American Sociological Association (ASA), ASA joins SWS and SSSP in supporting and celebrating the awardee at their Annual Meeting. The awardee’s economy class airfare, train fare or driving mileage/tolls will be paid jointly by SWS and SSSP. ASA also supports applicants for this award via their student travel award program (more than one such award may be given, but students must apply to ASA separately). Each association will also waive its meeting registration and provide complementary banquet and/or reception tickets for the awardee.

What We'll Be Looking For

To honor Beth Hess's career, the committee will be looking for: 

• Commitment to teaching, especially at a community college or other institution serving less-privileged students.
• Research and/or activism in social inequality, social justice, or social problems, with a focus on gender and/or gerontology being especially positive
• Service to the academic and/or local community, including mentoring
• High quality research and writing in the proposal and letter of application.

The Application

Applications for the award should be sent electronically as a single Word or RTF file via e-mail attachment to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Applications must contain in the following order:

1. A cover sheet with:
   • Name and full contact information, including phone and email
   • Current academic affiliation, with years
   • Community college or technical school attended, with years and number of credits completed
   • Name and contact information for graduate faculty reference
   • If included, name of honored faculty member
2. A letter of application (no more than 2 pages) describing the student's decision to study sociology, commitment to teaching, career goals, research agenda, service and activism that would help the committee to see how the Scholarship would be a fitting honor
3. Full curriculum vitae, including all schools, degrees awarded, years of study, and full or part-time status in each
4. (Optional) A one-page letter describing a community/technical college faculty member who contributed in a significant way to the decision to study sociology or pursue higher education

Applicants should also arrange for the following to be sent directly either electronically via e-mail attachment or in hard copy:

1. A letter confirming advancement to candidacy (ABD status) in a sociology Ph.D. program and aid award, if any
2. A letter of recommendation from a sociologist
3. Transcript (official or unofficial) from the community or technical college attended

To be considered, all application materials (electronic and hard copy) must be RECEIVED by April 1, 2013.

Contact

For further information contact Denise Copelton - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it