American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

Midwest District Ethnic Minority Graduate Fellowship Award

The Ethnic Minority Graduate Fellowship Award provides the means through which the Midwest District AAHPERD recognizes a graduate student of ethnic background at the master’s or doctoral level who has demonstrated outstanding potential in teaching, scholarship, and service to his/her profession of health, physical education, recreation, dance, and/or sport.

Qualifications

• Candidates shall be a current member of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.
• Candidates shall be accepted into a graduate course of study in health, physical education, recreation, dance, and/or sport and be attending a public or private college/university in the Midwest District at the time of application for the award.
• Candidates shall be either entering into the first semester or already in his/her graduate studies. This will include master’s and doctoral applicants. The recipient must be a full-time student at all times while receiving the scholarship.
• Candidates shall be of ethnic background, a citizen of the United States, and live within the Midwest District.
• Candidates shall have performed with distinction as a student body member at his/her respective undergraduate institution. High priority will be given to the student’s involvement in:
• • Course work (undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher);
  • Extracurricular activities (participation in a minimum of 3 activities);
  • Commitment to pursuing a career in health, physical education, recreation, dance, and/or sport; and
  • Promise for success in such a career.

Award

The Midwest District Ethnic Graduate Fellowship recipient will receive $1,000 for one year of graduate study.

The recipient will be requested to attend the AAHPERD national convention, Midwest event (i.e. Midwest Leadership or Council Workshop) or a state HPERD conference.

The fellowship will be paid, upon proof of registration at any of the above chosen conference. Such proof should be sent to the chair of the Midwest Finance & Investment Committee so funds can be released for cutting checks. Also, please notify the Midwest treasurer. This process may take some time to communicate with all parties so follow up by the award winner is advised.

Application Procedures

The applicant shall assemble and submit, six copies in one envelope, the application and supporting documents to the chair of the Midwest District AAHPERD Recognition and Awards Committee by August 15. All endorsements and transcripts are to be returned to the applicant in sealed envelopes with the endorser’s or registrar’s signature over the envelope seal. (1 copy only) The following forms shall be required:

1. Award Application Cover Sheet
2. Written documentation demonstrating compliance with the award qualifications (resumes or vitae not accepted)
3. A current letter of recommendation from an undergraduate faculty member or administrative staff member who is personally familiar with the applicant’s work. The endorsement should be directly related to the award qualifications providing a biographical sketch outlining the contributions of the applicant and how these contributions are deserving of recognition; (1 sealed copy)
4. Official undergraduate college transcript; (1 sealed copy)
5. A Graduate Record Examination score or other professional entrance scores, if available.

Selection and Recognition Process

The Midwest District Recognition and Awards Committee will select one Ethnic Minority Graduate Fellowship Award recipient from the applications and present the nominee to the MDAAHPERD Board of Directors for approval. The recipient will be notified by October 1 (or immediately following the Midwest District AAHPERD Fall Leadership Conference) and presented with the award at his/her state HPERD conference.

Award winners may wish to investigate the possibility of applying for the AAHPERD Charles D. Henry Award.

Please do not hesitate to contact the chair of your state or Midwest Awards Committee if you have any questions.