2013-2014 Undergraduate Scholarships

Applications for donor-funded scholarships are due at 5pm on Friday, April 5th, 2013.

Each applicant must submit a personal statement addressing how their application meets the criteria for the awards to which they are applying. Personal statements must not exceed 500 words. Applicants must also submit a short essay (200 words maximum) describing any community service involvement and internships/jobs they feel are relevant to their scholarship application.

The link to the application will appear on this web page beginning on March 1st, 2013. You will be notified by mid-May 2013 if you are selected to receive an award. For general questions about the donor-funded scholarship program, please email spaundergradscholarships@american.edu.

SPA Donor Funded Undergraduate Scholarships Available for 2013-2014 Academic Year

The available awards for the 2013-2014 academic year are listed below:

HARRY C. BISER SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Qualifications: Undergraduate with 30 credit hours completed per year and minimum 3.2 GPA

The Harry C. Biser Scholarship is awarded annually to a student enrolled in the School of Public Affairs. Eligible students will have attained a minimum 3.2 cumulative grade point average and completed a minimum of 30 credit hours per year.

Mr. Biser, a graduate of American University in 1950, had a long and distinguished career in college admissions at institutions including Georgia Tech University and Stephans College in Missouri. He was also a lead founder of the Golden Eagles alumni circle at American University in 2007. This gift recognizes his heartfelt commitment to the School of Public Affairs and undergraduate education at AU.

Amount: 2,000
Awards: 1

PAUL A., PAUL H., AND ISABELLA A. CLARKE SCHOLARSHIP

Qualifications: Undergraduate students with minimum 3.2 GPA

To honor the memory of her son and husband, Isabella Ager Clarke established a bequest providing for an endowed scholarship in the School of Public Affairs. The scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students, with a minimum GPA of 3.2, based on merit and financial need. Students must demonstrate an interest in public service.

Each member of the Clarke family was a native of Washington, DC. The Clarkes have been involved in public arenas for many years, so it was a natural choice for Isabella to decide that a family scholarship to benefit students studying in the School of Public Affairs was a suitable memorial.

Paul A. Clarke, the son of Paul H. and Isabella A. Clarke, was a political consultant in California. He was best known for guiding the career of his wife, a former Republican congresswoman Bobbi Fielder of California. Paul Clarke also had helped Bobbi Fielder win election to the Los Angeles school board prior to her being elected to Congress. Mr. Clarke, who attended Furman and American Universities, was a radio broadcaster in Cincinnati and Los Angeles. Mr. Clarke also wrote numerous opinion columns for the Los Angeles Times. Paul Clarke died at age 50 of lung cancer in December 1996.

Paul H. Clarke was a retired State Department security official. He had been with the State Department for 19 years before retiring in 1970 as chief of the special assignment staff. Mr. Clarke had been a special agent and chief of special investigations during his tenure at the State Department, working with special security and personnel issues. On loan to the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency in Vienna and Helsinki, he was an administrator for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) with the Russians. He also had been on loan to the US Information Agency and the Peace Corps. Upon his retirement he served on the Maryland Health Claims Arbitration Board. Mr. Clarke was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Kensington, Maryland; the Masons; and the Scottish Rite Temple. He was a Worthy Grand Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star and a Boy Scout leader. He was a graduate of Eastern High School and received a law degree from Southeastern University. Mr. Clarke died at age 82 of a stroke in August 1997.

Isabella and Paul H. Clarke were married 59 years. Isabella Clarke worked for the Montgomery County, Maryland, School System for 18 years, initially as a substitute teaching and later as an executive secretary in local schools.

Amount: 4,000
Awards: 2

JANE R. GLASER SCHOLARSHIP

Qualifications: Undergraduate studying abroad at the Hebrew University with minimum 3.2 GPA

The Jane R. Glaser Scholarship Fund in the School of Public Affairs provides financial support to an undergraduate SPA student. A scholarship will be awarded annually to an undergraduate student for the purpose of spending at least one semester studying abroad in Israel at the Hebrew University PLC. Scholarships awarded by the fund will be applied solely to the cost of attending Hebrew University.

This award was established by Patricia Glaser, Esq. (BA/SPA/1969), family, and friends.

Amount: 10,000
Awards: 1

PATRICIA ANN HEINAMAN AWARD

Qualifications: Undergraduate students with minimum 3.2 GPA

The Patricia Ann Heinaman Award provides an annual stipend for an undergraduate student who has excelled in their academic work and has made a meaningful difference in community service and advocacy. The award recognizes Ms. Heinaman’s tireless efforts to advance policy and issues related to affordable housing on both the regional and national level.

Amount: 200
Awards: 1

ROBERT AND CHRISTINE JOHNSON SCHOLARSHIP

Qualifications: Undergraduate students with minimum 3.2 GPA

Established by Robert W. Johnson, the award is given to an undergraduate SPA student who demonstrates academic excellence and financial need.

Mr. Johnson, a 1981 graduate of the School of Public Affairs, serves as assistant general counsel of the Exxon Mobil Corporation. He is heavily involved as a volunteer at American University, serving on the SPA Dean's Advisory Council and as a board member with the AU Alumni Association.

Amount: 2,000
Awards: 1

MARGERY KRAUS SCHOLARSHIP FOR THE STUDY OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Qualifications: Rising junior with minimum 3.5 GPA; Students must also be enrolled in a summer or semester long study abroad program offered by American University.

The Margery Kraus Scholarship for the Study of Global Communications and Public Affairs will be awarded annually to a School of Public Affairs student and School of Communications student with career interests in global communications and public affairs/relations with an international focus. Applicants must be a junior in standing at the time of application with a minimum 3.5 GPA, with preference giving to female students. Students must also be enrolled in a summer or semester long study abroad program offered by American University.

Amount: 2,500
Awards: 1

MONTE AND MARIE LIANG SCHOLARSHIP

Qualifications: Rising junior or senior with minimum 3.2 GPA

The Monte and Marie Liang Scholarship was established by AU Trustee and SPA alumna Regina Muehlhauser (BS/SPA/1970) in memory of her parents, Monte and Marie Liang. It is awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate leadership within SPA or the University, with preference given to Asian-Americans.

Amount: 5,000
Awards: 1

ROBERT A. REPETTO SCHOLARSHIP

Qualifications: Undergraduate honors students in the Department of Government

The Robert A. Repetto Scholarship was established in the memory of Robert A. Repetto (BS/KSB/1969 MBA/KSB/1971) by family and friends. Awarded to students in the School of Public Affairs. The Robert H. Repetto Scholarship is endowed to support a full-time, undergraduate, honors student in the Department of Government in the School of Public Affairs.

The award was established in the memory of Robert A. Repetto by family and friends.

Amount: 2,000
Awards: 1

ALICE LEE AND LAU KING QUAN AWARD

Qualifications: Undergraduate with a minimum 3.2 GPA

The Alice Quan Lee Award was established by family and friends in honor of her life and legacy of public service. The late Alice Quan Lee served with distinction at organizations including the Florida State Board of Health, the US Public Health Service, the Veteran’s Administration, and the Naval Medical Research Institute. This annual award is directed to an undergraduate student interested in a career in public health or health policy related fields.

Alice Roosevelt Lee Quan graduated from American University with a degree in biology in 1934. She was one of very few women enrolled in the sciences at that time. During her lifetime, she achieved many milestones and recognitions for her work and her dedication to public service. She served with great distinction at organizations including the Florida State Board of Health, the US Public Health Service, the Veteran’s Administration, and the Naval Medical Research Institute. Her work continues to secure the world against the worst of potential bioterrorism threats even now. Her husband, Dr. Lau King Quan, was a recognized scholar who has contributed greatly to an understanding of the potential and the failures of the League of Nations with his seminal work on China and its relations with the League of Nations. Family and friends of the Quans established the Alice Lee and Lau King Quan Award to commemorate their life’s work and achievements.

Amount: 700