Prospective and current students who apply for scholarships will receive written notification of their scholarship status. Recipients must sign and return a copy of their scholarship letter by the deadline stated in the letter in order to have the award credited to their student account. IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL (269) 387-5830 or email jane.baas@wmich.edu. Please leave your valid email address as this is the easiest way to reach you.
Scholarships
Wendy L. Cornish Endowed Dance Scholarship
Eligibility: Excels in the Department of Dance requirement; Transcends the ordinary in attitude, discipline, sense of ensemble and commitment to the process, product and audiences of dance; Is dedicated to dance as an integral part of his/her life; Full-time (min. 12 credits for regular credit) dance major student; Junior or senior undergraduate status; At least 12 credits completed at WMU; Minimum 3.25 GPA at time of application; Half in fall, half in spring; Credited directly to the recipient’s account for fees, tuition and book expenses; Donor to be notified of recipient(s)’ name and address.
Dalton Exceptional Dance Major Scholarship
Eligibility: Dance major; Enrolled at WMU for at least two semesters; Junior or senior at the beginning of year of the award; WMU GPA of 3.0; Dance GPA of 3.5; Achievement in choreography, performance, leadership and/or service while at WMU; Professional commitment; Satisfactory progress toward completing the requirements of the dance program; Serve as positive role models for other students
Dalton New Dance Major Scholarship
Eligibility: Any new dance major; Audition process during November and February; Two letters of recommendation, one must be from a dance teacher. Auditions consist of: Class sessions in ballet, jazz, modern and improvisation; Interview by a faculty member; Writing a brief, impromptu essay.
Renewal Process: Have completed a major technique course in ballet, jazz and modern dance; Continue to register for major technique courses in two of three styles each succeeding semester; Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA overall and a 3.5 GPA in dance coursework; Have demonstrated professional commitment in dance coursework and dance-related activities; Have performed in an event sponsored by the Department of Dance. This scholarship may be awarded for a maximum of two years.
Dalton Dancers with Musicians Scholarship
Purpose: To acknowledge the dance major who has exhibited exceptional choreographic ability and musicality at WMU; to provide an educational opportunity for such students to collaborate in rehearsal and/or performance in a music/dance project; to enhance the quality of music involved in dance productions at WMU
Award: An award will be given to students whose proposals are accepted in one of the following categories:
- Choreographers with Composers: student choreographers who wish to work with a composer in creating a dance to an original score.
- Choreographers with Musicians: student choreographers who wish to work with one or more musicians in presenting a dance to an existing score which is to be performed “live”
Proposal Requirements: All proposals must include the following, as applicable:
- Description of the project
- Name of musicians(s)
- Title of music
- Composer
- Style of music/dance
- Instrumentation
- Number of dancers
- Number of musicians
- Length
- Are all musicians committed to the project (explain)
- Production considerations
Award Amount: $500 per project (non-renewable)
Ethel Perry Eaton and Jerrold T. French Dance Scholarship
Eligibility: As the endowment earnings are available, there shall be a minimum of one scholarship awarded annually. Recipient must have junior or senior undergraduate students enrolled full-time in the Department of Dance. Renewable for one academic year, provided the recipient has demonstrated satisfactory academic progress as specified by the office of Student Financial Aid. Minimum 3.25 GPA. Demonstrates talent and creativity in and commitment to dance performance.
Endowed Dance Scholarship
Eligibility:
- Full-time undergraduate student majoring in dance
- Preference shall be given to eligible students who demonstrate need determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid; academic merit shall be a secondary consideration.
Arthur E. and Martha S. Hearron Student-Faculty Enrichment and Student Scholarship Endowment for Dance
Eligibility: Full-time dance major student of distinction with either a junior or senior status. Must have a minimum 3.25 GPA. The selection of the scholarship recipient shall be based upon talent, through an audition process conducted by appropriate personnel in the Department of Dance and reviewed by the Chair of the Dance Department
Jean Warner Labelle Endowed Dance Scholarship
Eligibility: Provides scholarships for students enrolled in the Department of Dance according to criteria established by the Chairperson of the Department of Dance.
The Cornelius Loew Young Artist Scholarship
Eligibility: Major or Minor in College of Fine Arts. Minimum GPA is 3.0. Enrolled full-time (12 or more credits). Undergraduate. Requires a letter of recommendation from faculty member. Demonstrate achievement in your discipline and show promise.
Awarded every fourth year (rotates between Art, Dance, Music, and Theater—Dance in 2014-15).
Lulu Rara Avis Fund for Modern Dance Choreography
Eligibility: Proposed projects must demonstrate that they are modern dance work that is considered “experimental and/or collaborative.” Proposed projects shall provide performance opportunities for current WMU dance students. Students participating in projects funded by this fund must be in good academic standing. Award money may be used for honoraria, related travel expenses, production expenses (e.g., costumes). Determination of expenses eligible for reimbursement shall be made at the discretion of the Department of Dance on a case-by-case basis.
Robert d. Maverick Theatre and Dance Scholarship
Eligibility:
- Graduates of Michigan high schools who are full- or part-time students
- Recipients shall have a minimum 3.0 GPA at the time of application
Edwin E. Meader Theatre and Performing Arts Endowed Scholarship
Eligibility:
- The recipients shall be selected at the discretion of the chair or director in consultation with the respective family.
- While not guaranteed renewal, current recipients are eligible to reapply for the scholarship.
G. Eugene Mills Scholarship for Excellence in Ballet
Eligibility: Currently enrolled dance student; Demonstrated excellence in the performance, choreography and/or teaching of ballet; Minimum GPA of 3.0. Students are nominated by full-time faculty.
Outstanding Dance Major Scholarship
Eligibility: This scholarship is to recognize dance students who are outstanding in their dance participation at WMU and have, thereby, enhanced the quality of our dance program, to recognize outstanding new dance majors. These scholarships may be awarded in any of the following categories: New Dance Major; Current Dance Major.
Eligibility: Dance major; Demonstrate academic excellence; Demonstrate achievements in choreography and/or performance; 3.0 or higher GPA
Partners in Dance Scholarship for Dance Majors
Purpose: To provide scholarships for dance majors who demonstrate financial need and artistic and intellectual promise.
Eligibility: Both current and new dance majors may apply. In addition:
Dance majors who are currently enrolled must demonstrate achievement in choreography and/or performance, service, professional commitment, and satisfactory progress toward completing the requirements of the dance program. It is expected that recipients of this award serve as positive role models for other students. Must maintain overall GPA of 2.5 and dance GPA of 3.0. Must demonstrate financial need.
New dance majors will be considered for this scholarship based on the Department of Dance audition process as scheduled each November and February. Auditions consist of: taking class sessions in ballet, jazz, modern and improvisation; being interviewed by a faculty member; and writing a brief, impromptu essay.
Review: Scholarship continuation for the winter semester will be determined by the dance faculty during the fall semester, based on available funds and maintenance of eligibility requirements. New majors must demonstrate progress toward achieving the eligibility requirements for current students.
Subsequent Awards: Recipients of this scholarship may reapply for this award on an annual basis.
Partners in Dance Endowed Scholarship
Eligibility:
- The scholarship shall be awarded to a current or incoming full-time dance major who demonstrates artistic promise and/or achievement.
- Renewal is not guaranteed; the scholarship recipients may reapply provided that they:
a) remain a full-time undergraduate student;
b) have maintained the qualifications of the Partners in Dance Endowment Scholarship
c) have demonstrated satisfactory progress as defined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Cleland and Ellen Weber Dance Scholarship
Eligibility:
- The criteria, amount of the scholarship, selection of the awardee, and distribution shall be made at the discretion of the Department of Dance
- The scholarship is renewable provided the recipient remains a full-time undergraduate student and has demonstrated satisfactory academic progress as specified by the Office of Student Financial Aid.
