CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The Beth B. Hess Memorial Scholarship is 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 to be used to support the pursuit of a Ph.D. in the amount of $15,000 from Sociologists for Women in Society (SWS) and an additional $300 from the Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP), as well as a one-year membership in SWS (including a subscription to Gender & Society) and SSSP (including a subscription to Social Problems). The Scholarship will be awarded at the summer meetings of SWS and SSSP. 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 Meetings, August 17-20, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. The awardee’s economy-class airfare, train fare or driving mileage/tolls will be paid by SWS. Each association will also waive its meeting registration and provide complementary banquet and/or reception tickets for the awardee. 

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

  • High quality research and writing in the proposal and letter of application.
  • Commitment to teaching, especially at a community college or other institution serving less-privileged students.
  • Research and 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 and activism. 

Applications for the award should be sent electronically as a single Word or RTF file via e-mail attachment to: .  Applications must contain in the following order:

  • A cover sheet with:
    • Name and full contact information, including phone and email 
    • Current academic affiliation, with years in attendance
    • Community college or technical school attended, with years of attendance and number of credits completed
    • Name and contact information for graduate faculty reference
    • If included, name of honored community or technical college faculty member 
  • 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
  • Full curriculum vitae, including all schools, degrees awarded, years of study, and full or part-time status in each
  • (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:

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

Only the enrollment confirmation, letter of recommendation, and transcript will be accepted in hard copy. Electronic copies of these materials are preferred and should be sent directly by the individual or institution supplying them. Hard copies can be mailed directly to:

Dr. Denise Copelton
Department of Sociology
The College at Brockport, State University of NY
350 New Campus Dr.
Brockport, NY 14420

To be considered, all application materials (electronic and hard copy) must be received by midnight on March 31, 2012. 

For further information contact Denise Copelton at: