Donor recognition
The VCU School of Social Work recognizes the important contributions and generosity of our supporters that have made possible the following scholarship opportunities for our students.
The Anne Fischer Scholarship Fund in the School of Social Work was established through a gift from Anne Fischer (M.S.W.'47), a former caseworker with a long history of social work practice in the Richmond area. The scholarship supports full- or part-time M.S.W. students with financial need who have a demonstrated interest in clinical work, especially with families and children.
The Bill and Sherry Peterson Scholarship was established in 2019 with a pledge from the Petersons, who both received a Master of Social Work from VCU in 1973. The scholarship supports full- and part-time M.S.W. students with a demonstrated interest in working with aging populations.
The Bob Green Research Fund is given annually to one M.S.W. student and one Ph.D. student who demonstrate outstanding achievement in social work research.
The Campbell Merit Scholarship in Social Work was established in 2000 by Diane Campbell (B.S.'85). The scholarship is awarded to incoming, meritorious full-time freshmen in the School of Social Work and is renewable for three years.
The Cesare and Ida Sclarandis Fund was established by Aubrey Sclarandis (B.S.W.’08; M.S.W.’10) with help from her parents, Mario and Tina Sclarandis, and in honor of her grandparents, Cesare and Ida Sclarandis.
The scholarship was created to support the Community Service Alliance (CSA) initiative within the School of Social Work through scholarship opportunities, student internship opportunities or the purchase of materials for CSA-related projects. This scholarship has a goal to culturally enrich learning experiences that will enhance future social work careers in the multidisciplinary area of cultural and systemic issues, including health, education, development and domestic and global learning opportunities.
Culturally enriching learning experiences include, but are not limited to, domestic and international service trips and study abroad opportunities. The scholarship is awarded to full- or part-time B.S.W. or M.S.W. students with a demonstrated interest in cultural and systemic issues related to social work practice.
The Don L. Bradley Endowed Scholarship was established in 2019 through a pledge from L. Ellen Bradley (M.A.’92). The fund honors Ms. Bradley’s father, Don Bradley, a 1974 alumnus of the School of Social Work. The scholarship is awarded to full- and part-time M.S.W. students.
The Dr. David P. Beverly Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2013 by Sally Jo Beverly (B.S.W.’62; M.S.W.’64) and the Beverly family to help VCU School of Social Work students focusing on community action and organization. Dr. David Beverly (M.S.W.’64) joined the VCU School of Social Work faculty in 1973 and was deeply committed to the principles of the school's curriculum and social justice issues, specifically civil rights. The scholarship is awarded to full- or part-time M.S.W. students with financial need who have a demonstrated commitment to community organization who are developing social action and policy skills at their field placement.
The Dr. Grace E. Harris Scholarship was established in 2000 by friends and colleagues in honor of the retirement of Grace E. Harris, Ph.D. Dr. Harris (M.S.W.’60) is a former VCU social work dean and former VCU provost and vice president for academic affairs. The scholarship is awarded to incoming, meritorious full-time freshmen in the School of Social Work and is renewable for three years, provided the student remains in good academic standing.
The Dr. Marilyn A. Biggerstaff Fund for Doctoral Student Research was established in 2019 by Marilyn A. Biggerstaff, D.S.W., to support research in the School of Social Work that strives to make a difference in the lives of persons experiencing poverty. The scholarship is awarded to Ph.D. students with a demonstrated commitment to social work research that strives to make a difference in the lives of persons experiencing poverty.
The Emmett W. Cocke, Jr. Scholarship was established in 2000 through gifts from Pace Memorial United Methodist Church in memory of Rev. Emmett W. Cocke Jr., who served as pastor of Pace and as the United Methodist campus minister at VCU from 1973-1979. Cocke was deeply devoted to serving the poor and marginalized in society. The scholarship is awarded to full-time M.S.W. students with financial need who have a demonstrated commitment to serving the poor and marginalized in society.
The Fostering Success Scholarship was established in 2014 by VCU School of Social Work emerita faculty member, Marcia Harrigan (M.S.W.’74; Ph.D.’89). The scholarship is supported by friends of the VCU School of Social Work. The scholarship is awarded to full- or part-time upper level B.S.W. students or M.S.W. specialization students with financial need who have a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in positive youth and family development with clear sensitivity, competence, and understanding of the experience of foster care youth.
Frank and Patricia Baskind Scholarship was established in 2010 through the generosity of Dr. Frank R. Baskind and his wife Patricia Baskind and their friends. Dr. Baskind served as dean of the School of Social Work for 16 years. The scholarship is awarded to full- or part-time B.S.W., M.S.W. or Ph.D. students with a demonstrated dedication to pursuing a social work degree while currently experiencing a challenging situation, including students who are working parents returning to school, health emergencies, facing extreme financial hardships or a particularly challenging situation concurrent with the pursuit of their degree.
The Gaye Shinall Jones Merit Scholarship was established in 2000 by her husband, William O. Jones. Mrs. Jones received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from VCU (B.S.W’90; M.S.W.’93). She was a member of the VCU Alumni Association Board and the School of Social Work Alumni Board. The scholarship is awarded to incoming, meritorious full-time freshmen in the School of Social Work and is renewable for three years, provided the student remains in good academic standing.
The Hans S. Falck Scholarship was established in 2004 in honor of Dr. Hans S. Falck. Dr. Falck was an emeritus faculty member who is well-known nationally and internationally for his commitment to health social work and the development of the “membership perspective.” The scholarship is awarded to registered Ph.D. students or candidates who have successfully passed their qualifying examinations and are actively engaged in conducting their dissertation research. The applicant’s research must seek to advance knowledge about human health and community with a dissertation that adheres to the same intent.
The Hatcher Merit Scholarship in Social Work was established by. Robert W. Hatcher (M.S.W.'69). The scholarship is awarded to incoming, meritorious full-time freshmen in the School of Social Work and is renewable for three years, provided the student remains in good academic standing.
The Hurtado Family Endowed Scholarship was established through a pledge from Dianna (M.S.W.’90) and Col. (Ret.) Dr. Arthur D. Hurtado. Dr. Hurtado is a former Board of Visitors and School of Engineering Foundation Board member. The scholarship is awarded to full-time B.S.W., M.S.W. or Ph.D. students with clear achievement of academic success and demonstrated potential for success and leadership in the profession. Preference is given to single parents first, then U.S. veterans, and finally U.S. citizens who would not qualify for other scholarships based on GPA.
The Joanne Kerbs Caramanica Scholarship was established in 2017 by Joanne Kerbs Caramanica (M.S.W.’85). The scholarship is awarded to M.S.W. clinical specialization students with a demonstrated focus on helping children, adolescents and families.
The Judy M. Thomas “Dr. T.” B.S.W. Scholarship was established in 2019 with a gift from Drs. Judy Thomas and Scott Vrana. Dr. Thomas was a faculty member in the School of Social Work. The scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior B.S.W. student with demonstrated financial need.
The Katharine McCardell Webb Merit Scholarship, formerly the School of Social Work Merit Scholarship, was established by Katharine McCardell Webb (M.S.W.'73). The scholarship is awarded to incoming, meritorious full-time freshmen in the School of Social Work and is renewable for three years, provided the student remains in good academic standing.
The Kimberly Giancaspro Scholarship was established in 2016 by Kimberly Giancaspro (M.S.W.’98) and Michael Giancaspro. The scholarship is awarded to M.S.W. students with demonstrated interest in mental health advocacy and social justice specifically in the areas of early intervention and prevention of childhood illness.
The Martin Schwartz Scholarship was established in 2000 in honor of Martin Schwartz, Ed.D. Dr. Schwartz taught in the School of Social Work from 1974 to 2000. As a faculty member, Dr. Schwartz was deeply committed to the clinical practice of social work and was an advocate for part-time students. The scholarship is awarded to part-time M.S.W. specialization students with a demonstrated interest in clinical social work.
The Mel C. Whipple Scholarship was established by Mel C. Whipple (M.S.W.’72), an alumna who maintained a successful private practice in the Richmond, Virginia, area. The scholarship is awarded to full- or part-time M.S.W. students with a demonstrated understanding of the African American culture and an interest in pursuing a career in clinical practice in mental health.
The Pamela B. Nystrom Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2003 by friends and family in honor of Pamela B. Nystrom (B.S.W.’77). The scholarship is awarded to a full- or part-time, upper-level B.S.W. student with financial need and demonstrated achievement of academic success.
The Peace and Justice Scholarship was established in 2019 through a pledge from Ira (M.S.W.’75) and Deborah (M.S.W.’80) Colby. Both are alumni of the VCU School of Social Work. The scholarship is awarded to full- or part-time M.S.W. online students.
The Rachel Wilkerson Memorial Scholarship was established in 2010 in memory of Rachel Wilkerson (B.S.’39) through gifts from Patricia and William Wilkerson. Patricia is a past president of the VCU Foundation Board of Trustees. The scholarship is awarded to full- or part-time M.S.W. students with financial need and demonstrated achievement of academic success. Preference is given to students with an interest in the Certificate in Aging Studies program.
The Rick and Brenda Faulkner Scholarship was established in 2015 through a pledge from the Faulkners. Rick Faulkner graduated in the class of 1973 with a B.S.W. and pursued a career in criminal justice. The scholarship is awarded to full- and part-time B.S.W. and M.S.W. students who are pursuing a career related to criminal justice.
The Rita Schleuter Memorial Scholarship was established by Joyce O. Beckett, Ph.D. The fund honors Rita Schleueter, an M.S.W. student and a friend of Dr. Beckett, professor emeritus in the School of Social Work. The scholarship is awarded to incoming, meritorious, full-time freshmen with a demonstrated knowledge of African American culture and interest in pursuing a career in clinical social work. The scholarship is renewable for three years, provided the student remains in good academic standing.
The Robin M. McKinney Dissertation Honor Fund Endowment, originally called the School of Social Work Dissertation Honor Fund, was renamed in memory of Robin Michele McKinney, a doctoral candidate who passed away unexpectedly in February 2010. McKinney was actively working on her dissertation, a project to help us better understand the disproportionate incidence and impact of intimate partner violence on African American women.
The Robin M. McKinney Dissertation Honor Fund Endowment supports doctoral student research that strives to make a difference in the lives of people served by social workers and expand our knowledge base for developing and sustaining responsive client-centered human services and culturally relevant programs and services. Given to those whose research seeks to expose social injustices or advance social justice, or extend our appreciation of, and response to, the diversity of human experience.
The scholarship is awarded to registered Ph.D. students or candidates who have successfully passed their qualifying examinations and are actively engaged in conducting their dissertation research. The applicant's research must seek to expose social injustices, advance social justice, or extend our appreciation of, and response to, the diversity of human experience, with a dissertation that adheres to the same intent.
The Rosa Jimenez-Vazquez Adelante Scholarship: Sirviendo La Comunidad Hispana was established in 2013 through an initial gift of $10,000 from Dr. Diane Bernard and friends of the VCU School of Social Work. The scholarship is supported by friends of the VCU School of Social Work. The scholarship is awarded to full- or part-time upper-level B.S.W. or M.S.W. students with financial need who have current or upcoming field placements with an agency that works directly with Latino communities. Applicants must also have demonstrated Spanish proficiency and cultural sensitivity, competence, and deep understanding of the Latino community.
The School of Social Work Administration, Planning and Policy Practice (SWAPPP) Scholarship Fund was established in 2004 by longtime macro faculty members Bob Peay (M.S.W.’74) and Bob Schneider, Ph.D., with subsequent support from alumni, faculty and friends, of the VCU School of Social Work. The scholarship is awarded to full- or part-time M.S.W. SWAPPP specialization students.
The Thomas Carlton Memorial Fund was established in memory of Thomas Carlton, D.S.W., a professor and former acting dean of the School of Social Work from 1973-1992, with funds given by his family, friends, and colleagues, along with a generous gift from the Virginia Organization of Health Care Social Workers. The scholarship is awarded to full- or part-time M.S.W. students with financial need who have a demonstrated commitment to practice in the health field.
The Virginia Council on Social Welfare Scholarship was established in 2010 through a gift from the Virginia Council of Social Welfare. The scholarship is awarded to full-time, upper-level Virginia B.S.W. students with financial need who have a demonstrated achievement of academic success.
The William Randolph Hearst Scholarship for Social Workers in Aging was established in 2009 by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. The scholarship is awarded to full- or part-time M.S.W. specialization students who are pursuing the Certificate in Aging Studies Program at VCU.