The USF Libraries scholarship, research award, and essay prize program ensures USF students are given opportunities to learn, discover, and succeed. We feel honored to work with and support our students in their academic achievements, and in the 2021-2022 academic year we awarded 14 scholarships and research awards. We are so thankful to our amazing donors and friends for their generosity, who make these awards possible each year. Help us celebrate and congratulate our impressive Fall 2021 scholars below!
To apply to the current cycle of scholarships, research awards, and essay prizes for 2022-2023, head to lib.usf.edu/scholarships-research-awards.
(Quotes below have been condensed and are taken from thank you letters and statements about each student’s award and what it’s meant for their academic and personal pursuits.)
Emma Frank, Tampa Campus Library Scholarship Recipient
English Literary Studies and History with a minor in Queer and Sexuality Studies, graduating 2023
“My academic interests are in LGBTQ+ history and literature and New Historicism in American and British literary studies. I’m currently working in Special Collections where I’m focused on analyzing and updating the metadata of the LGBTQ+ collections. I was interested in applying for the Tampa Campus Library Scholarship because the Spring 2021 semester was an exceptionally challenging time for me. I felt as though my experiences with Special Collections provided not just a way for me to truly explore my academic interests in a way I hadn’t before, but were a means of joy and an outlet for creativity that I desperately needed. I felt incredibly lucky to have had the chance to work with such amazing people and materials. The scholarship will help to support my plans to study abroad through the USF in London Program this upcoming summer. Thank you to the generous donors for their support. It allows students like me to reach their full potential and expand their research here at USF.”
Murphy Rodgers, Latin American & Other Science Fiction Research Award Recipient
Master’s in Library and Information Science, graduating 2022
“Since I was a child, sci-fi and fantasy literature have been my favorite fiction genres. I studied J.R.R. Tolkien at every chance I could get. From conducting research in Special Collections, I learned that USF Libraries’ resources are incredibly expansive. Even as a Library Science student, I underestimated the sheer amount of materials available to us. I have never had access to a library with a dedicated fantasy collection like this. It even holds materials that are available online, which were very important to me as a distance learner. My research in Special Collections inspired me to continue studying Tolkien and other fantasy authors. I had forgotten how entertaining it can be to research and write about subjects that interest us, just for our own enjoyment. I have since completed multiple projects on Tolkien that I am extremely proud of.”
Megan MacElroy, Samuel Y. Fustukjian Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Master’s in Library and Information Science, graduating 2023
“I was interested in applying for this scholarship after learning more about Samuel Fustukjian and his work in libraries all over the globe. His dedication to USF was inspiring and something to be admired. Being that I aspire to be a librarian one day, I thought this scholarship would be a good match for me. I’d like to extend my deepest thanks to the donor that made this scholarship possible. Being trusted to represent an important legacy has not gone unrecognized. I am humbled and grateful to be awarded this scholarship and hope to do my donor proud.”
Evan Fruehauf, Patrick Riordan Memorial Research Award in Florida Studies Recipient
Master’s in Library and Information Science, graduating 2022 (and also Library Specialist at USFSM and Staff Leader on USFSM Virtual Book Club)
“I became interested in the Patrick Riordan Research Award after finding I was passionate about a Florida Studies related topic. I knew I wanted to find something to support that passion, and having the opportunity to break new ground while utilizing a key USF Libraries resource has been extremely rewarding thus far. After sitting down with USF Librarian Andy Huse in Special Collections, an undiscovered history of Florida opened up to me. My time working with Special Collections and their online catalog gave me the inspiration to see my research project to publication, and I’m now putting together a cohesive manuscript for submission to an academic journal. If successful, I could be the first published researcher on my topic in relation to modern information studies with a historical context. It’s extremely exciting to feel this empowered by my university and to have a real chance at making academic contributions.”
Lauren King, Leland Hawes Undergraduate Student Essay Prize in Florida Studies Recipient
History and Political Science with a minor in African American studies, graduating 2022
“My honors thesis is about the St. Augustine Four, who were a group of students arrested and sent to reform school for participating in civil rights demonstrations in 1963. I like that the Leland Hawes essays ask people to think about Florida in a critical and non dismissive way. The number one thing I’ve learned from working in Special Collections is that librarians are miracle workers. Researching in Special Collections has taught me to look beyond traditional source material. One of my librarians showed me an art book about my project that totally changed my outlook, and that’s not something I would have found looking through the stacks on my own.”
Jeffrey Waitkevich, Altrusa Club of Tampa Bay Scholarship Recipient
Master’s in Library and Information Science, graduating 2022
“I applied for this scholarship because Altrusa International of Tampa Inc. is an incredible and generous organization that does a tremendous amount of good for the Tampa Bay area. Thank you for your generosity. This scholarship helps ease the financial burden of pursuing graduate education, and I am extremely thankful for the assistance this scholarship provides. With the help of Altrusa, I will be better able to focus on my MLIS degree program and growing my career in libraries as I pursue my dream job as a reference librarian at a public library.”
Iryna Vasko, Boyadjian Family Endowment in Armenian Studies Recipient
Statistics with a minor in Economics, graduating 2023
“Since a young age, my love for music has cultivated my interest in the Armenian culture. I fell in love with the richness of expression, variety of moods and melodies, and the ethnic themes seen throughout the works of Aram Khachaturian, the beloved Armenian composer. This interest prompted me to read the biography of Veron Dumehjian, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide. I even learned to make pakhlava and shared the treat with my classmates! Perhaps one of the most inspiring findings that I learned while applying for the scholarship is that it was established by Dr. Manoug Manougian, who is also a mathematician. By awarding me this scholarship, you have lightened my financial burden, which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of higher education: learning. Your generosity is an inspiration for me to help others and give back to the community. One day, I hope to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me. Thank you.”
Diya Jameson, Boyadjian Family Endowment in Armenian Studies Recipient
Health Science, graduating 2023
“Thank you for your generosity and support. The financial aid you provided will go a long way toward helping me pay for my educational expenditures, and it will allow me to devote more time to studying. In addition, I admired the Armenian culture a lot because of an Armenian family who has a special place in my heart. This is what interested me in applying for this scholarship. Once again, I really appreciate this help, and I will work hard and do good work with this opportunity.”
Congrats again to all of our scholars!
- Jonathan Coker, LGBT Research Award
- Evan Fruehauf, Patrick Riordan Memorial Research Award in Florida Studies
- Murphy Rodgers, Latin American & Other Science Fiction Research Award
- Jeffrey Waitkevich, Altrusa Club of Tampa Bay Scholarship
- Arwin Arun Swapna, Tampa Campus Library Scholarship
- Emma Frank, Tampa Campus Library Scholarship
- Alliana Bennion, Boyadjian Family Endowment in Armenian Studies
- Diya Jameson, Boyadjian Family Endowment in Armenian Studies
- Iryna Vasko, Boyadjian Family Endowment in Armenian Studies
- Lila Alhashim, Boyadjian Family Endowment in Armenian Studies
- Jennifer Avelar Santos, Samuel Y. Fustukjian Memorial Scholarship
- Megan Macelroy, Samuel Y. Fustukjian Memorial Scholarship
- Michelle Carranco, Dr. John Ogden Coral Reef Collection Scholarship
- Lauren King, Leland Hawes Undergraduate Student Essay Prize in Florida Studies
If you are interested in supporting our students, please contact our Office of Development.