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Department of Writing Studies
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Awards & Scholarships

All students in the Scientific and Technical Communication major are eligible to apply for the following scholarships:

 

Coaxley Ames Writing Excellence Award

Coaxley Ames Writing Award

The Writing Studies Department is pleased to announce the Coaxley Ames Award for students interested in improving their writing through advanced study. This award is made possible by a generous donation from the Coaxley Ames family, who support improvement in student writing at the University of Minnesota.

To be eligible for the award you must be either (1) an entering S&TC major during 2012 (spring, summer or fall) or (2) a current S&TC major with at least 24 major credits remaining. The applicant must also have taken six credits of writing courses (including first-year writing, or WI courses) with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in those classes.

The Coaxley Ames fund offers two $1000 awards. To apply for the award, send the following materials to writ@umn.edu:

  • an academic writing sample from a previous class (minimum of five pages)
  • a brief statement of interest in the major explaining how you hope to improve your writing through advanced study in S&TC
  • an unofficial copy of your transcript

Please include “Coaxley Ames Writing Award” in the subject line of your email. If you would prefer to submit your application materials in person, you may submit them to 214 Nolte Center.

Funds will be awarded fall semester 2012; students must be registered students at the University of Minnesota in order to receive the award. If the recipient of the award currently receives financial aid through the University of Minnesota, the award will be applied toward the student’s financial aid. Contact writ@umn.edu with any questions about the award.

2011-12 Application Deadline is April 16, 2012.

2010-11 Award Winners

 

Victoria Mikelonis Undergraduate Memorial Fund In Scientific & Technical Communication

Victoria MikelonisTo apply for the $200 Victoria Mikelonis Undergraduate award, send a letter expressing your interest and goals in scientific and technical communication and an unofficial copy of your transcript to writ@umn.edu. Please include “Mikelonis Scholarship” in the subject line of your email. Your application letter should be limited to one page. The winning student will be asked to write a thank you letter explaining how the funds will be used to support his or her education. This letter will be shared with everyone who donated to the Mikelonis fund. If you would prefer to submit your application materials in person, you may submit them to the main office. Funds will be awarded fall semester; students must be registered students at the University of Minnesota in order to receive the award.  If the recipient of the award currently receives financial aid through the University of Minnesota, the award will be applied toward the student’s financial aid.  Contact writ@umn.edu with any questions about the award. 

2011-12 Application Deadline is March 26, 2012.


Professor Victoria Mikelonis is fondly remembered by her colleagues, students, friends, and family for her profound commitment to scientific and technical communication and rhetorical studies. She was a faculty member in the former Department of Rhetoric from 1980 until her death in 2007.

Vickie served in many roles over the years, but always with an eye toward challenging and encouraging her students. Her work is defined by her keen interest in the role of Rhetoric in drawing people together across cultures and national boundaries. Vickie’s deep dedication to her students was most evident in her years as director of the department’s Scientific and Technical Communication undergraduate program and her leadership in the Society for Technical Communication (STC) student chapter.

The Mikelonis Award offers a $200 award every year to an exceptional undergraduate student whose academic pursuits reflect a commitment to scientific and technical communication, rhetorical studies, and/or intercultural communication. (Suggested uses are books and a membership in the STC student chapter.) The award is presented in recognition of Professor Mikelonis’s leadership, commitment, and her tremendous contributions to the University of Minnesota with the hope that the student will continue to build on Professor Mikelonis’s work.


Medtronic Technical Communication Scholarship

Medtronic is the world’s leading medical technology company, providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease. Medtronic’s mission is to contribute to human welfare by application of biomedical engineering in the research, design, manufacture, and sale of instruments or appliances that alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. To better serve our diverse clinician customers and their patients worldwide, Medtronic strives for a diverse workforce. Medtronic also has a commitment to contribute to the advancement of education. Helping students to fully realize their potential supports Medtronic in developing a diverse workforce and, ultimately, in fulfilling the corporate mission.

Award

To provide a $2,000 scholarship award to undergraduate student(s) who are majoring in the field of Scientific and Technical Communication (S&TC). Funds will be awarded fall semester; students must be registered students at the University of Minnesota in order to receive the award.  If the recipient of the award currently receives financial aid through the University of Minnesota, the award will be applied toward the student’s financial aid.  Contact writ@umn.edu with any questions about the award. 

Criteria

The recipient(s) must have declared a major in Scientific and Technical Communication with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The award may be renewable for additional years while the student is pursuing the degree. Students are required to apply each year for continued funding, and maintain satisfactory progress. Members of underrepresented ethnic or racial minorities are encouraged to apply, however, the scholarship is open to any S&TC major. Application and an interview are required. Medtronic will select the final recipient from candidates approved by the college.

Deadline for 2011-12

Sorry, no award will be granted for 2011-12.

Application Process

Send a letter of application to the Medtronic Technical Communication Scholarship Committee along with a current copy of your University of Minnesota transcript (unofficial copy is fine) and a letter of recommendation from your advisor or an instructor by TBA. In this letter of application, explain why you chose Scientific and Technical Communication as your major course of study, state your goals for your career, and describe how this scholarship would help you maintain progress toward your degree. Send these materials to:

Department of Writing Studies, U of MN
Attn: Medtronic Technical Communication Scholarship Committee
214 Nolte Center
315 Pillsbury Drive SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

OR send them electronically to writ@umn.edu with "Medtronic Technical Communication Scholarship" in the subject line.

 

Society for Technical Communication (STC) Scholarships

The Society for Technical Communication sponsors fourteen scholarships of $2,000 each for school tuition and expenses. Seven awards are granted to graduate students and seven to undergraduate students. Full-time undergraduate students who have completed at least one year of a post-secondary education studying communication of information about technical subjects, and who have at least one year of study to complete their degree are eligible to apply. Applications must be postmarked by February 15 of the year for which they will be granted. Please see http://www.stc.org/scholarship_info.asp for more information and for an application form.

The local STC chapter (www.stctc.org) also offers scholarships annually to students.  Check their Web site for details and the latest information.

 

Diane Feldman Technical Editing SIG Scholarship

The Technical Editing Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Society for Technical Communication (STC) is offering two scholarships of $1400 each.

The first scholarship assists students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in technical communication (or a related area, such as professional writing or digital media) and the second assists students who are pursuing a graduate degree in technical communication (or a related area, such as professional writing or digital media). Students applying for one of these scholarships are expected to be able to demonstrate their focus on topics related to technical editing through their academic studies, current jobs, special projects, or undergraduate/graduate program. The winners will be announced in the Technical Editing SIG newsletter.

For more information on the scholarship program, please see the STC Technical Editing website: http://www.stc-techedit.org/Scholarship.

 

Scholarships in CLA

For information about the scholarships available in CLA, check their website: http://cla.umn.edu/honors/schollnk.htm.

 

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)
The goal of UROP is to help you become involved in research and creative activity to stimulate your mind, broaden your perspectives, expand your intellectual and social networking and strengthen your connections to the University of Minnesota community, as well as the research and creative communities nationally and throughout the world.

UROP provides stipends of up to $1400 and research expenses of up to $300 for undergraduate students working with a University of Minnesota Faculty Mentor. Full-time (enrolled for ≥6 credits) undergraduates enrolled in any college on any campus are eligible to apply.

 

University of Minnesota Honors Program Scholarships

The University of Minnesota Honors Program offers several scholarships including (1) the Harry S. Truman scholarship for students interested in pursuing a career in public service; (2) the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for students interested in pursuing a research-oriented career in math, science, or engineering; and (3) the Morris K. Udall Scholarship for students interested in careers related to the environment.  Please see this link for more information on informational sessions and application instructions: http://www.honors.umn.edu/scholarships/index.php