The Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech is pleased to announce the first annual Actively Caring for People Scholarship. The $4,500 award — made possible by a donation from Virginia Tech Psychology Professor E. Scott Geller — will be issued to one student in January 2010 to support, encourage, and motivate the application of knowledge and experience in actively caring for others. Actively caring means to “go above and beyond the call of duty” for other people. Additional awards will be available in subsequent semesters. The Actively Caring for People movement and the Actively Caring for People Scholarship epitomize the university’s motto: Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

Eligibility

• Recipients shall be, at the time of receipt of the scholarship funds, undergraduate students beyond their freshman year, who have a demonstrated record of outstanding academic achievement;
• Candidates from all majors will be considered. Preference will be given to psychology majors but students from other majors may apply. Candidates will have successfully completed the Introduction to Psychology course (PSYC 2004);
• Previous recipients who continue to qualify for this award may re-apply and will be considered for subsequent academic periods.

Application – Candidates should submit the following materials for consideration:

• Transcripts of undergraduate coursework completed at Virginia Tech (unofficial transcript is acceptable);
• A 250 to 500-word narrative that describes how they have actively cared for people in the past, and how this scholarship will enable subsequent caring for others in the future;
• A separate narrative should address any family situations or extenuating circumstances that affect the candidate’s ability to cover the expenses of college. Special consideration shall be given to candidates in special need for financial assistance;
• Finalists for this award may be asked to express their case to the selection committee in person. This interviewing process will be coordinated by the selection committee.

Additional Requirements

• By submitting the actively-caring-for-people narratives, authors allow for the donor and scholarship committee to publish the narratives in any way that will promote the actively-caring mission;
• At the conclusion of the semester in which the award was made, recipients must prepare a second 250 to 500-word narrative for the scholarship committee that highlights their academic achievements and actively-caring service to the community during that semester. The Department of Psychology will share this information with the donor.

Application Deadline: December 17, 2009

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