Crouse Scholarships in Professional Writing for Graduate Students

In addition to competing for general scholarships available to all Purdue University students, graduate students who specialize with a secondary PhD area in "Rhetoric, Technology, and Digital Writing," "Technical and Professional Writing," or a closely related area, can apply annually for two of three $5,000 Crouse Scholarships. MA students with demonstrated interests in Professional Writing can apply for one of these scholarships. Should there be no award given in one category, the award committee may choose to make two or more awards in the remaining categories.

The application deadline for the 2010/2011 scholarships is Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 3 p.m.

Past Scholarship Winners

• In 2009/2010, awardees were Mark Hannah (Emergent Scholar) and Elizabeth Angeli (Promising Scholar)
• In 2008/2009, awardees were Jeremy Tirrell, Nathaniel Rivers, and Allen Brizee (Emergent Scholars) and Joshua Prenosil (Promising Scholar)
• In 2007/2008, awardees were JennieMare Calcamuggio (Emergent Scholar) and Mark Hannah and Karen Kaiser Lee (Promising Scholars)
• In 2006/2007, awardees were Huiling Ding (Emergent Scholar) and Morgan Sousa and Allen Brizee (Promising Scholars)

Description of Crouse Scholarships for Graduate Students

Promising Scholar: Professional Writing and the Department of English offer a $5,000 scholarship for a first-year PhD-level graduate student specializing with a secondary PhD area in "Rhetoric, Technology, and Digital Writing," "Technical and Professional Writing," or a closely related area. PhD-level students may apply for this scholarship during their first year in the program. This scholarship, funded by a generous endowment from William H. and Ruth E. Crouse, is designed to support students of exceptional ability and promise as they begin their coursework in areas related to Professional Writing, including publishing and technical writing. Applications for the award are judged by a committee composed of faculty in Professional Writing at Purdue as well as professionals in the field. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of academic achievement, an application letter, a resume, and portfolio of work. Recipients of this scholarship will be encouraged to develop a project during the award period for presentation at a local or national conference or submission to a journal.

To apply for this scholarship, submit one copy of the following materials:

• an application letter that specifies which scholarship you have applied for and that discusses your interests in a PhD secondary area related to Professional Writing
• an unofficial transcript
• a resume or vita
• a portfolio containing one or two samples of your work

See the submission instructions below for further details.

Emergent Scholar: Professional Writing and the Department of English offer a $5,000 scholarship for an advanced PhD student who has specialized with a secondary PhD area in "Rhetoric, Technology, and Digital Writing," "Technical and Professional Writing," or a closely related area. Preference will be given to students who have successfully defended their prospectus by the application submission deadline. The scholarship recognizes both promise and achievement. Funded by a generous endowment from William H. and Ruth E. Crouse, the scholarship is designed to support students of exceptional ability and promise as they complete their coursework in areas related to Professional Writing, including publishing and technical writing and begin work on their dissertation. Applications for the award are judged by a committee composed of faculty in Professional Writing at Purdue as well as professionals in the field. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of academic achievement, an application letter, a resume, and portfolio of work. Recipients of this scholarship will be encouraged to develop a project during the award period for presentation at a local or national conference or submission to a journal.

To apply for this scholarship, submit one copy of the following materials:

• an application letter that specifies which scholarship you have applied for and that discusses your interests in a PhD secondary area related to Professional Writing
• an unofficial transcript
• a resume or vita
• a portfolio containing one or two samples of your work

See the submission instructions below for further details.

Graduate Internship Scholarship in Print and Electronic Publishing: The Professional Writing Program offers a $5,000 scholarship for a student (MA or Phd) who has specialized in Professional Writing or has a secondary PhD area in "Rhetoric, Technology, and Digital Writing," "Technical and Professional Writing," or a closely related area. The student will be given the opportunity to serve one academic year as Associate Editor in the production and publication of an academic journal, Programmatic Perspectives, the journal published under the auspices of Council of Programs in Scientific and Technical Communication (CPTSC). Students at the MA and PhD level are eligible for the award: applications are submitted each March for the following academic year. Students will be awarded course credit (e.g., ENGL 589, 590, or equivalent) depending on the number of hours worked. This scholarship, funded by a generous endowment from William H. and Ruth E. Crouse, is designed to support students of exceptional ability and promise as they gain experience in the activity of academic publishing. Applications are judged by a committee composed of faculty in Professional Writing at Purdue as well as editors of the journal Programmatic Perspectives. Applicants for the award are evaluated on the basis of academic achievement and potential, an application letter, a CV, a portfolio of work, and statement of professionalization.

To apply for the award, submit one copy of the following materials:

1. an application letter that specifies which scholarship you have applied for, discusses your interests in Professional Writing as an MA student or in a PhD secondary area related to Professional Writing, and describes qualifications and pertinent experience for a position as Assistant Editor of an academic journal
2. an unofficial transcript
3. vita
4. a portfolio containing one or two samples of your work

Submission Instructions

For each scholarship applied for, send or deliver one copy of your application materials to

Dr. David Blakesley
Director of Professional Writing
Department of English
Purdue University
500 Oval Dr.
West Lafayette, IN 47907

Mailed copies of the application materials need to arrive on or before the due date.

Materials may be delivered in person to Cathy Archer, Secretary for Professional Writing and Introductory Composition, in Heavilon 302. Awards are made in late-March for disbursement during the following academic year. The awards are distributed through the Financial Aid Office at Purdue University and can be used for any academic expenses.

Application Deadline: Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 3 p.m.

For additional information, email Dr. Blakesley at blakesle@purdue.edu or call (765) 494-3772.

General Note about Application Deadlines: Announced in early March of each year (the deadline falls in early March). Supplementary scholarship application deadlines are announced when appropriate or available.