Mariano Picolomini
The Pierce College philosophy department is offering a $1,500 scholarship to students transferring to four-year universities.
The scholarship deadline is in early April 2009. The application process asks interested students to submit a completed application packet which consists of several requirements. Eligible students must be in the process of transferring to a four-year university in the fall of 2009 or spring of 2010.
Students must also have a minimum of six units in philosophy or sociology, or a combination of both. However, students do not need to be majoring in philosophy or sociology.
Applicants must have also completed 30 units at Pierce with at least a 3.3 grade point average.
The application packet requires applicants to submit several written essays and letters that include a two-page personal essay, a handwritten thank-you letter to the donors of the scholarship, two recommendation letters and a writing sample of the student’s work.
Applications must be submitted to faculty member Mia Wood via email or hardcopy.
“It’s great because you can use the scholarship (check) not only for school but anything the student wants,” Wood said.
The applications will be reviewed by the Philosophy/Sociology Perpetual Scholarship Committee and the selected candidate will be announced during the graduation breakfast.
Betty Odello, faculty member and scholarship founder, arranged for donors to contribute anonymously to the scholarship.
“It’s a great, great program and we have wonderful donors giving very generously,” she said.
More information is available at the sociology- and philosophy-department Web sites at http://www.piercecollege.edu.
Adjunct philosophy professor Doug McFerran said of the scholarship, “”It has been their hope that it encourages more Pierce students, whether or not they are majors in our areas, to take advantage of our offerings.” ()