UTEP Announces New Scholarship to Increase Opportunities for Top Students
Last Updated on February 05, 2020 at 12:00 AM
Originally published February 05, 2020
By UC Staff
UTEP Communications
The University of Texas at El Paso will offer a new scholarship for top undergraduate students to help them finish their last semesters at UTEP. President Heather Wilson announced the establishment of the Hawkins Scholarship at UTEP's inaugural Honors, Scholars and Fellows Day on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The new scholarship will be awarded for the first time during the Fall of 2020.
President Wilson established the scholarship for exceptional undergraduate students who intend to pursue graduate education following their graduation from UTEP.
“The Hawkins Scholarship will ensure our top students have the resources to take part in enriching experiences as UTEP students that help prepare them for graduate studies and beyond,” President Wilson said.
The new program will provide two $10,000 scholarships to UTEP students of outstanding intellect and character who are committed to the service of others, and who show promise of becoming leaders capable of addressing important challenges facing humanity. The scholarships may be awarded to undergraduate students in any field.
Each $10,000 scholarship may be used to pay for tuition, fees, room, board, books or other educational expenses, including the cost of special educational experiences abroad or away from campus, or other expenses to complete or enhance the applicant’s undergraduate education at UTEP in preparation for the student’s graduate education.
“This scholarship is an excellent opportunity to reward high-achieving UTEP students across disciplines, not only for their academic achievements but for their impeccable character, leadership and the positive impact they are having on society,” said Catie McCorry-Andalis, Ed.D., associate vice president and dean of students. “Regardless of financial need, the Hawkins Scholarship provides access to opportunities and resources that help build students’ undergraduate experience and prepare them to apply for highly competitive graduate awards, fellowships and scholarships.”
Students eligible for the Hawkins Scholarship must:
- Be an undergraduate UTEP student who intends to apply for admission and attend graduate school in the fall of 2022 — usually Fall of the Junior year.
- Be at least 17 years old and must not have passed their 23rd birthday on Oct. 1, 2020
- Have completed an undergraduate degree at UTEP not later than July 2022
- Be citizens of any country
- Have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale
The Hawkins Scholarship is named for First Lieutenant William Deane Hawkins. A resident of El Paso and an excellent student, Hawkins graduated from El Paso High School when he was 16 and was awarded a scholarship to attend the Texas College of Mines (now UTEP), where he studied engineering. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawkins joined the Marine Corps. In November 1943, Hawkins selflessly led his men into action against Japanese-held Tarawa located in the Gilbert Islands. He was killed in action during this effort. He risked his life to accomplish the mission and inspired his comrades during the most crucial phase of the battle. Hawkins was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic acts above and beyond the call of duty.
For more information on the Hawkins Scholarship visit utep.edu/honors.
