Evelyn Phinney Makea Difference Scholarship

Purpose: The Evelyn Phinney Make a Difference Scholarships fund is established to encourage and advance the cause of human rights.

Eligibility Requirements: Applicant(s) must demonstrate a strong sense of personal civic responsibility and a sincere interest in promoting social justice. Once the seriousness of each applicant’s interest in human rights issues are identified, other eligibility requirements to be applied include: Recipient(s) must:

• Be in good academic standing and making satisfactory academic progress as determined by the university.
• Demonstrate financial need as defined by Graceland’s financial aid policies.
• Demonstrate high academic achievement, taking into consideration involvement in extra-curricular activities;
•   a. Graduated in the top 10% of their high school graduating class, and (if an upperclassman)
•   b. Maintain a cumulative college GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
•   NB: In exceptional cases of unusual motivation and dedication to the cause of human rights, the selection committee may consider applicants whose grade point average is 3.25 or better.
• Maintain a reputation of good moral character among peers, teachers and community members.
• Demonstrate a sound work ethic through part time employment to provide part of their college expenses.
• Scholarship winners must reapply each year.

Application Process:

• The essay must be submitted by December 1, 2007, in an electronic file format. Only the student ID number should identify the essay for committee review. After the essays are evaluated, other eligibility requirements will be applied.
• Scholarship winners will be notified by February 1, 2008, with the award applying to the academic year 2008-2009. Two runners-up will be selected should the winner decide not to return to Graceland.
• Interested students should apply with a brief essay (1-3 pages) about their interest in human rights. An answer to one of the following topics should be submitted.
•    a.  As you look back on your life and look ahead to how you will invest it, which experiences and individuals have helped you develop a personal passion for protecting the human rights of all? Explain the impact of each experience and/or individual in your life.
•    b.  Scholar Roland Bainton once said, “Civilization is always only one generation away from barbarism.” How do you think your generation can ensure that barbarism in the interrelations of people and groups will not prevail?
•    c.   You live in a nation whose citizens are among the wealthiest 1% of the world’s people. Discuss your core beliefs about the responsibility of this nation for the rest of the globe. Include your understanding or your personal responsibility.
•    d.   Research and discuss one situation either internationally or nationally that you believe reflects an unacceptable infringement or oppression of human rights. Identify what specific rights you see being subverted, providing examples, and what you believe should be done to stop these violations. 
•    e.    As you muse about your future, what are your greatest dreams for how you might invest your life? How do these dreams include working to make the world a gentler, less violent place?

If the selection committee determines that there are no qualified candidates in a given year, the selection committee will decline the funding for that year, rather than award a scholarship to an unqualified or unmotivated recipient.