Educating the Future Through Philanthropy
Sumiko Martinez, Christina Lau Billings, & Morgan Stinson
Thanks to hundreds of individual donors who invest in humanities students, the College of Humanities provides a wide range of scholarship opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students throughout our departments, centers, and programs. This support is critical for students; scholarship support significantly reduces the financial burden of higher education, allowing many to pursue their educational dreams. Scholarships allow students to focus wholly on their studies, take full advantage of the many opportunities on campus and in the college, participate in extracurricular activities, and build the professional network that leads to ongoing success. These scholarships are made possible by the support from individuals who, now more than ever, recognize the importance of a humanities degree and value the role humanities plays in our future.
Each person who contributes to humanities scholarships is supporting academic excellence and a robust student experience. But as you’ll read in the words of the students below, you are giving more than dollars. For many students, being chosen to receive a scholarship is a much-needed vote of confidence, a pat on the back, or a boost in what feels like a long and daunting climb towards graduating. These scholarships represent much-needed material support, but also an intellectual affirmation and even an emotional bolster. With the generosity of our amazing community, the College of Humanities awarded $1.7 million in scholarship funds to 335 students, an average of $5,200 per student during the 2024–25 academic year.
Dr. Robert C. Steensma Endowed Graduate Scholarship in Literary Studies
Laura Scott and Rodney Mena created this scholarship to support graduate students in the Department of English. Honoring Dr. Robert Steensma, professor emeritus of English at the University of Utah and a Navy captain, this scholarship focuses on students pursuing Literary Studies.
Dr. Steensma taught British and American literature at Augustana College, the University of South Dakota, Utah State University, and the University of Utah. He was a Fulbright lecturer in Finland, published five books and over 300 articles, and received numerous honors, including the English Department’s Outstanding Professor for Excellence in Teaching. Known as a kind and dynamic professor, he led many Continuing Education courses at the University of Utah and believed excellent teaching impacted generations of students. Recognizing his immense contributions, this fellowship supports students who exemplify his values, research, and tenacity.
Elissa Cruz, Recipient
“I am a first gen college student from humble beginnings, but earning a PhD in literature has been my dream since childhood. This goal seemed unlikely, though, since I didn’t have the funds to make my dream a reality when I graduated from high school, and then I met my husband and began a family. After raising five wonderful children with him, I finally came back to school in my 40s to earn my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English. I took a leap of faith last year and applied to the University of Utah, and I am now in my second year of the English PhD Literary & Cultural Studies program, focusing on early medieval British literature.
The Dr. Robert C. Steensma Endowed Graduate Scholarship in Literary Studies in the Department of English has helped to give me the space I needed to pursue my passion for medieval literature because it has alleviated some of the financial burden. I am now able to focus on my studies and explore the fascinating world of Old English poetry and prose. Being able to study the earliest beginnings of the English language has given me a better understanding of our modern language and a greater appreciation for all English literature that has grown out of this beginning.
Along the way, I have also discovered a love of teaching, so I am also using this time to practice my teaching skills and create great course content for future college courses I want to teach. It is my ultimate goal to pass on my love of literature to a new generation of readers. I am grateful for this endowment and its donors, Laura and Rodney. I would not be here without this support.”
Laura Scott '90 BA, English
and Rodney Mena
“We created this endowment to honor my father, who loved teaching literature and believed strongly in the importance of the humanities in fostering critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the complexities of the human experience.
My father also cared deeply about providing everyone with an opportunity for a higher education. His family did not have any financial resources so he worked throughout high school and joined the military in order to pay for college. He also received scholarships that enabled him to continue with his graduate studies and become a respected and adored English professor who positively impacted the lives of thousands of students. It is our hope that this scholarship will provide someone like my father with an opportunity to do the same.”
Marie Cornwall Graduate Research Grant
Established by Marie Cornwall as an annual award, the Marie Cornwall Graduate Research Grant supports students in the College of Humanities who are pursuing research on Women’s History. Honoring Dr. Cornwall’s ongoing contributions and leadership, this award supports graduate students with costs like travel expenses, manuscript copies, books, or fees to attend national conferences and academic meetings. In addition to her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Utah, Marie received a master’s degree in sociology from BYU, and a PhD in sociology from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Cornwall has worked as both a visiting professor at the U, a professor of sociology and women’s studies at BYU, and director of BYU’s Women’s Research Institute, along with serving as the Editor of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.
Amy Ellsworth, Recipient
“Thank you for your commitment to support research in women’s issues, including my deepest thanks for the scholarship extended to me.
Because of support from the Marie Cornwall Graduate Research Grant, I conducted research from May–June 2024 in Trujillo, Peru. This experience has been highly enlightening on several fronts, including the women’s issues related to contraception that are the focus of the research, my learning curve about the approach to research abroad, and research mentorship learning curve to clinicians abroad. This has also supported the completion of my certificate in Global Health field experience with the Division of Public Health at the University of Utah.
It is my sincerest hope that this certificate will qualify me for positions where I could collaborate and offer internship experiences for University of Utah
students, following the completion of my PhD in Public Health. In this way, I hope I may transform your gift to me into a ‘gift that just keeps on giving,’ in the best ways, of course!”
Marie Cornwall '71 BA, English
“I know how much donations from alumni help struggling students. I’ve seen it over my 30 years of university teaching, and I’ve experienced it with my friends who have also decided to help set up scholarships. The University of Utah was my first university experience and I know every bit of donated funds plays an important role supplementing taxpayer support. Graduate students are sometimes neglected by donors, but they need support as well. I am grateful that I am able to help graduate students in the humanities.”
Andrew F. Wahlquist Scholarship for debate in the Department of Communication
This scholarship was established in 2017 by Andrew and Myrna Wahlquist for students in the John R. Park Debate Society who engage in community outreach, compete in tournaments, and exhibit high academic achievement. Andrew, a 1963 communication alum, competed on the debate team before going on to a highly successful career in strategic communication and public affairs in both government and private industry. He served as chief of staff to Senator John Warner of Virginia, as well as a five-year term as commissioner of the Virginia Port Authority and chairman of the Finance Committee. By establishing this endowment, Andrew and Myrna provide important and ongoing support for debate students, playing a key role in their success as a top-ranking team.
Juan Boscan, Recipient
“My name is Juan Boscan, and I am currently a freshman at the University of Utah majoring in both political science and economics. This scholarship has allowed me to keep pursuing my educational goals at the University of Utah. My current financial situation is far from perfect, and I thank you for helping me continue to study at this incredible institution.
One of the things I love about the University of Utah is that I feel like I belong. I have felt nothing but welcome in all my classes and activities. A big campus with a lot of people can feel overwhelming, but all the staff and all my peers help it to feel like a close family. Everyone in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the College of Humanities has helped me figure out the best way to achieve my academic goals. The university also offers incredible resources for extracurricular activities and career opportunities.
Being part of the John R. Park Debate Society feels like being part of a family. As a new member, I have felt supported every step of the way, and I have seen a lot of improvement in my personal performance thanks to the coaching staff. To say the least, I am delighted by the amount of effort everybody puts into each practice and each tournament. The team is extremely organized, and its structure demonstrates how the team is one of the best at the national level. I love being part of debate, because each day I feel my knowledge increases, that I am growing as a person, and most importantly that I belong. As part of the team, my opinions and ideas are highly valued, and that makes me happy and grateful. The goal of competing at a national level feels possible because the team’s resources can help me be a debater of that level. So thank you for allowing me to be a part of this excellent family.”
“I want to be able to offer what benefited me to get a college degree to others who
may be in a similar situation.”
—Andrew Wahlquist
Samantha Watrin, Recipient
“I want to thank you for the generous scholarship I was awarded through the John R. Park Debate Society. Donations to the team make it possible for students like me to fully engage in the higher education opportunities the U has to offer.
My name is Samantha Watrin, I am a sophomore at the U double majoring in political science and computer science. I am originally from Cache Valley, Utah, and have been competing in speech and debate since my freshman year of high school. After coming to the U, the Debate Society has not only become a passion of mine, but has also helped me develop as a student and person. Participating in multiple speech and debate events, and finding success in them, has given me a diverse array of argumentation, speaking, and persuasive skills that I will continue to utilize even after I graduate. Additionally, as part of the team’s outreach events, I use these skills to help teach high school students, participate with the Refugee Debate program, and in our public events. I also use them in my role in ASUU events and meetings.
Outside of the skills this team has given me, this scholarship has also helped me immensely. This financial support allows me to focus on my studies and competitive success within debate without the additional stressor of finances. Being able to focus on school makes me a better student and competitor.”
Andrew Wahlquist '63 BS, Communication
“My wife Myrna and I established the Andrew Wahlquist Endowed Scholarship to support students participating in the John R. Park Debate Society forensics team. My own college career was made possible from scholarships in debate at the University of Southern California and at the U of U. I want to be able to offer what benefited me to get a college degree to others who may be in a similar situation. I am proud to honor the students who are competing internationally and nationally and achieving great success and I send my best wishes to the team.”
Brent and Liz Welch Family Endowed Scholarship in the Department of Communication
Established by Brent and Liz Welch, this scholarship supports communication students who transfer from another academic institution to pursue studies at the University of Utah. This scholarship works to reduce the barriers to success that transfer students often face. Brent has put his communication degree to good use across the globe and believes his time in the department prepared him well for a fast-paced career. He counts professors Robert Avery, Parry Sorensen, and Bob Fotheringham among his influential teachers, sharing his first-ever class at the U was from Professor Avery. Professor Fotheringham also played a key role in Brent’s vision for his career, providing a foundation in advertising. These professors sparked his interest in communication throughout the rest of his career as a student and beyond.
Morgan Anderson, Recipient
“Thank you for your generous support from the Welch Family Scholarship for the 2024–25 academic year. I really appreciate being selected for this scholarship and it will have a large impact on my education at the University of Utah. Your generous scholarship helps me get closer to my goal of graduating and lessens the financial stress that I have faced as a student.”
Brent '81 BA, Communication
and Liz Welch
“My wife and I are grateful to be able to establish the Brent and Liz Welch Family Endowed Scholarship in the Department of Communication to help students continue their education at the U. I have benefited throughout my career from the education I received at the U which provided a strong foundation. We are proud that all three of our children attended the U and received a wonderful education. My hope is to give students the same opportunities that have been afforded to myself and my family.”
J. William Gordon Endowed Scholarship in the Department of History
Established by Shannon Gordon in memory of her late husband, Bill, the J. William Gordon Scholarship supports undergraduate students majoring in history.
George West, Recipient
“I am a rising junior at the University of Utah, and I was fortunate enough to receive the J. William Gordon Endowed Scholarship. Thank you so much for this opportunity!
I am majoring in history with a plan to minor in classical civilization. I am from Sandy, Utah. After I finish my bachelor’s degree, my plan is to continue my history education in graduate school. I have loved the opportunities I have had in my undergraduate education to do research and graduate school will give me the opportunity to take that to the next level.
I could not be more grateful for this scholarship. I have always paid for my own tuition without the help of my parents, which has meant working during the school year. But in the middle of this last spring semester, my brother passed away. My grief made working while continuing to pass my classes impossible. This scholarship gives me the opportunity to get back on track financially after that and it is such a great relief. It is because of this that I am able to continue my education.
Your generosity has made a tremendous difference in my life, and I will make sure that it doesn’t go to waste.”
Shannon '68 Bs, Recreation
and Bill Gordon '68 BS, History
“I established this scholarship in honor of my late husband, Bill, to support history students in his memory. I am very happy students benefit from the J. William Gordon Endowed Scholarship, and I am pleased to support students like George as they pursue higher education. I know that Bill would feel the same way. He was passionate about providing opportunities for students to succeed in their education at the U, and he would be proud to see the impact this scholarship has today. To George and all past recipients of the Gordon Scholarship, I wish you the best in your continuing endeavors here at the U.”