MSW Scholarships - College of Social Work

Alumni Scholarship

In 1982, alumni of the College of Social Work established a 50th Anniversary Endowment to fund an ongoing scholarship in the name of the Alumni Association. The scholarship is awarded each year to CSW student who demonstrates leadership, contribution to the community, and commitment to the social work profession.

American Indian and Alaska Native Scholarships in Social Work

These scholarships were established in 1970 to support students of Alaska Native and American Indian ethnicity. These social work scholarships are made possible through a number of funding sources, including the University of Utah President’s Office; Tribal Nations and Councils; practicum agencies; the Indian Health Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; and the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For details, please contact Bethany Bingham at 801-581-5571 or Bethany.Bingham@utah.edu.

Burt Annin Child Welfare Scholarship

Norma Harris created this annual scholarship in 2016 in memory of her friend Burt Annin, an attorney and trainer at the Child Welfare League of America. The award is intended to support BSW and MSW students interested in pursuing a career in child welfare social work. Strong preference is given to Title IV-E students.

Jane and Ernest Bebb Family Endowed Scholarship

Jane Bebb, alumna of the College’s Master of Social Work program, established this endowed scholarship in family’s name in 2020. Jane is grateful to be able to provide scholarship support to students in the MSW program who have demonstrated promise in the field of social work and are committed to this important profession.

Bordenave Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Jeannine Bordenave, a 1981 MSW graduate, in memory of her mother, Lucille Bordenave. The award is made to a deserving student who has excelled academically, who is in need of financial assistance, and who meets the University’s definition of a nontraditional student.

Louise Browning Scholarship Fund

Louise Browning was a respected faculty member and inspirational mentor at the College of Social Work for many years. The Browning Scholarship provides financial support to a deserving student in the College of Social Work who demonstrates need.

Gisella and Dan Chace Scholarship

College of Social Work alumna and social justice advocate Gisella Chace, along with her husband Dan, have contributed to annual scholarships for social work students since 2014, and officially established the Gisella and Dan Chace Scholarship in 2020. They focus on supporting students invested in working with immigrant and refugee communities. As an immigrant herself, Gisella appreciates the challenges that face hard-working, caring, and determined individuals who seek to make a better life for themselves and others.

Sarah Jane & Jeffrey D. Dunn Endowed Scholarship

Sarah Jane and Jeff Dunn established this scholarship in December 2015. This endowed award will support MSW students with demonstrated financial need. As graduates of a combined total of four University of Utah programs, Sarah Jane (MSW’99) and Jeff enthusiastically and generously chose to support students who would follow their academic footsteps.

E. Daniel and Margie Egbert Edwards American Indian Scholarship

In their decades of work at the College of Social Work, Dan and Marge Edwards dramatically improved educational opportunities for American Indians in Utah and across the country. This endowed scholarship for single American Indian parents ensures the continuation of their remarkable legacy. Preference will be given to MSW students, but BSW students will also be considered.

Ruth Papiano Giolman Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Neil L. Papiano in memory of his mother, Ruth Cotten Papiano Giolman. The scholarship is awarded to graduate students whose professional interests are in the field of aging and who expect, upon graduation, to engage in research and other activities to improve the quality of life for elderly Americans.

Helen Richards Henderson Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established in 1998 by Ann E. Henderson to honor her mother, CSW Professor Emeritus Helen R. Henderson. The scholarship is awarded to a master’s-level social work student who is a single mother and who demonstrates promise in the field of social work. Special consideration is given to students who share Helen Henderson’s interest in mental health and concern for professional development.

Hiatt Scholarship

In 1993, a bequest from the estate of Martin Hiatt established a scholarship fund at the University of Utah, and a portion of these funds were directed to the College of Social Work. There are no specific criteria attached to the scholarship, although recipients are traditionally students who excel academically.

James C. & Lucile P. Hunter Scholarship

College of Social Work students interested in international, immigrant, and refugee issues are considered for this scholarship, which was endowed by Paul and Rosemarie Hunter in memory of James C. and Lucile P. Hunter. James and Lucile both had a high regard for education, Lucille teaching school all of her life and James reentering college after his retirement as a highway patrolman for the State of Utah. College of Social Work BSW, MSW, or PhD students with an interest in one or more of the previously mentioned areas and who demonstrate need are encouraged to apply.

Frances A. Jones Scholarship

A gift from the estate of Frances A. Jones established this endowed scholarship in 1991. Awards are given to students interested in the problems of rural communities, with an emphasis on child welfare services.

Elise Kasteler Hutchings Scholarship for Leadership in the National Association of Social Workers

This scholarship was established in 2011 by College of Social Work alumna and NASW advocate, Elise Kasteler Hutchings. It recognizes an outstanding social work student who has demonstrated knowledge of the value for the NASW and dedication to helping support its mission in this state. Recipient must be a member of the NASW.

Hank Liese Scholarship

Colin Brown and Hank Liese were 15-year-old plebes together at Culver Military Academy in1964. A few decades later, upon Dean Liese’s retirement from the College of Social Work in 2017, Mr. Brown established a scholarship in his dear friend’s honor. This scholarship is a tribute to their friendship and their shared love of education. Dean Liese hopes it will provide support for social work students returning to school after careers in other fields, as he once did.

Roger M. & Mary F. Lowe Legacy Scholarship

In 2001, Roger M. and Mary F. Lowe established this scholarship to provide educational assistance to deserving students studying in the field of social work. As a result of their generous support over the years, this endowment now provides scholarships for two students annually. Ms. Lowe is a 1987 graduate of the CSW and a recipient of the James Garland Woolsey Memorial Award.

Georgia W. Murdaugh Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1988 by Claude B. Murdaugh of Washington State in memory of his wife, Georgia W. Murdaugh. The award is given to students who demonstrate financial need and who wish to pursue advanced graduate education in the public social services.

Elizabeth McDonald Richards Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established in 1998 by CSW Professor Emeritus Helen R. Henderson in memory of her mother, Elizabeth McDonald Richards. The scholarship is given to a master’s-level social work student who is a single mother caring for children and who would not be able to attend graduate school without financial assistance. Special consideration is given to students who exemplify the values and qualities of Elizabeth McDonald Richards, specifically the value she placed on education and concern for others.

Chieko Nishimura Okazaki Endowed Scholarship for Elementary School-based Social Work

The Okazaki family established the Chieko Nishimura Okazaki Endowed Scholarship at the College of Social Work in 2021. In honor of Chieko’s passion for school social work, the scholarship supports MSW students accepted to the College’s school-based social work program and intent on a career working in elementary school settings.

Patricia Rothermich Endowed Memorial Scholarship

Patricia Rothermich was known for her empathy, her understanding, and her compassion for her clients. Ms. Rothermich’s friends and family established this Memorial Scholarship in 2008 to honor her lifelong dedication to serving children and families. The scholarship is given to a BSW or MSW student who shares those interests.

Schmid Child Welfare Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Don and Sylvia Schmid in 2003. These funds are designated for a first- or second-year MSW student who has a stated plan to work after graduation in a child welfare setting, primarily serving Tribal Nations, both on reservations and in urban areas. Preference is given to students with financial need.

Lee Spencer Skidmore Scholarship

The family and friends of Lee Spencer Skidmore established this honor in his memory in 2016. The award supports MSW students with demonstrated financial need who seek a career in the medical health arena.

Rex A. Skidmore Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1996 at the time of the 25th Dedicatory Anniversary of the CSW building. It honors Rex A. Skidmore, who served the University and the CSW for 41 years. Dr. Skidmore was dean for 20 years, from 1956 to 1975. The scholarship is presented to exceptional students who have demonstrated outstanding promise, interest, and academic excellence in the field of social work and who, like Rex A. Skidmore, would bring to the profession a strong commitment to strengthening, preserving, and enhancing family life and family relationships.

Gilbert Teemley Smith Endowed Scholarship

Dr. Amanda Barusch established this scholarship in honor of her father, Gilbert Teemley Smith. The award supports first-generation College of Social Work graduate and undergraduate students, particularly those with a strong commitment to serving the Mexican-American community.

Study of Aging Scholarship

Allen Proctor, a clinical instructor in the CSW’s practicum program for more than 25 years, was instrumental in establishing this scholarship through a distribution of assets from Salt Lake Metropolitan Services for the Aging. The award is made to outstanding students who have demonstrated commitment, capacity, and promise for a career in gerontology and direct service or field placement in gerontology.

Suazo Social Justice Scholarship

This scholarship was established to honor the late Senator Pete Suazo. Senator Suazo dedicated his life to furthering the cause of social and economic justice for all people. The College of Social Work and the Suazo family are proud to provide this scholarship to a full-time student who has financial need and who demonstrates a strong commitment to and leadership potential in issues of social and economic justice.

Milton G. Thackeray Scholarship

The family and friends of Milton G. Thackeray established this endowed scholarship in 1996 to honor his years of dedication to the College of Social Work. Professor Thackeray began his career at the College in 1948. He served the school for 37 years, retiring in 1985. Fourteen of these years were spent in the position of associate dean. The scholarship is awarded to students who bring to the profession of social work the values and qualities Milton G. Thackeray exemplified throughout his life and career. Consideration is also given to students preparing for careers in child welfare and/or mental health.

Maurice & Inez Warshaw Scholarship

The late Maurice Warshaw, noted Salt Lake philanthropist and civic leader, established this scholarship through an endowment in his will. The Warshaw Scholarship is awarded annually to social work students, based on merit and need. Founder and chairman of the board of Grand Central Stores, Mr. Warshaw focused much of his philanthropy and community service on disability rights and issues. The Warshaw Scholarship was expanded by the family and friends following the death of Inez Warshaw in 1998.

Julia M. Watkins Endowed Scholarship

Following two years of generously supporting annual scholarships for social work students, College of Social Work alumna Dr. Julia Watkins, along with her husband Dr. Dennis A. Watkins, established this endowed scholarship in 2021 with a gift from the Dennis A. and Julia M. Watkins Foundation. The Julia M. Watkins Endowed Scholarship supports deserving students in the BSW, MSW, or PhD programs who have demonstrated financial need.

Dr. Judy Watts Brady MSW Student Scholarship

Drew W. Browning created this scholarship in 2023 in honor of his late wife. Dr. Judy Watts Brady excelled in her lifelong mission of helping people. Whether she was working in private practice or serving in the many public mental health roles she had during her lifetime—including as the Director of the Utah State Division of Alcoholism and Drugs, a governor-appointed position for which she was notably the first-ever woman to hold the post. This scholarship is awarded to an MSW student who has demonstrated financial need.

Blanche Scowcroft Willey Scholarship

This endowment was established in 1983 by Emerson C. Willey in honor of his wife, Blanche Scowcroft Willey. The award is granted to deserving students who excel academically in the social work field.

Chris Wellington and Beryl Peters Mental Health Scholarship

Chris Wellington values the care social workers provide to those with mental health challenges—so much so that in 2017 she created a scholarship for BSW and MSW students who intend to work in this area. Ms. Wellington also chose to honor her long-time friend Beryl Peters, who supported the idea of this scholarship and whose estate gift helped make it possible.

Georgia Willey Snyder Scholarship

Georgia Snyder Knight established this endowed scholarship in 1997 in memory of her mother, Georgia Willey Snyder, Professor Emeritus at the CSW. Professor Snyder was a member of the faculty for 28 years, beginning in 1953. The award is given to a student who demonstrates need.