Mike Watts Outstanding Leadership Fellowships
The Graduate School
MSC PSL
New Mexico State University
P.O. Box 30002
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8002
Phone: (575)646-5746 Fax: (575)646-7758
|
Memorandum |
| To: Graduate Program Department Heads and Directors and staff |
| From: Linda Lacey, Dean of the Graduate School |
| Subject: Nominations for the Mike Watts Outstanding Leadership Graduate Fellowships, $2,000 |
Due date: Nominations and applications must be received by the Grad School by December 10, 2009
The Endowment for the Mike Watts account has built up again and we can make awards from this endowment beginning in spring 2010. We have an account of $20,000 and can make up to 10 awards. We did receive nominations from faculty this past spring and will make awards based on the criteria of the award as listed below. Once those awards are allocated, we will still have money to make additional awards to graduate assistants.
The Graduate School encourages faculty to nominate outstanding graduate assistants for the Mike Watts Outstanding Leadership award. The fellowship is made available through the generosity of the family and friends of Michael E. Watts. The Watts Fellowships are available to graduate assistants from any area of graduate studies. This award is for $2,000 and will be awarded this spring and next fall ($1,000 per semester). Students that will graduate in May 2010 will only receive $1,000.
To qualify for the fellowship, graduate assistants must meet a number of eligibility requirements. The criteria are listed below. Please note that this is a leadership award that goes beyond academic merits.
- Graduate students must be graduate assistants during the award period
- Graduate assistants must be United States Citizens
- Candidates must be of good character, integrity, and have the ability to search, find and recognize truth in all ventures.
- Candidates must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Candidates must have demonstrated potential for leadership, and success in professional endeavors and human relationships.
- Candidates must have the courage, determination and perseverance to overcome obstacles and to do their best to achieve success in all worthy projects and goals.
- It is hoped the candidates will have a desire to pursue activities to improve the lives of less fortunate individuals and possess the desire to contribute to a better nation and a better world.
Students currently on a state funded graduate assistantship will be eligible for consideration. If awarded, the Fellowship will be paid as salary supplement to the regular assistantship. Please note that for those students who also receive financial aid, the fellowship can have an impact on the amount of financial aid received.
If you have a graduate assistant that meets the qualifications, and intent of the fellowship, please have the student provide, through your office, the following:
A letter from the student outlining how they feel they meet the criteria
A copy of their current transcript
Two letters of recommendation
A copy of their resume
We do not accept email nominations and applications.
Forward these materials to the Graduate School along with your endorsement. The Graduate School will review the applications and select recipients. We will keep the Watts family informed of the award recipients. Students may be asked to write a thank you note to the Watts family. Thank you for your help and cooperation. The deadline for receipt of all materials is December 10th. Early submissions are encouraged.
Please note that the Watts family likes to receive thank you cards and letters. They like to hear directly from the students in terms of their program of study, their career objectives and community service. Letters for the Watts family are collected by the Graduate School and delivered to the Watts family.