Isobel Griscom established this endowment through a gift made in 1971, and the fellowship is designed to promote opportunities for graduate students who demonstrate successful academic and professional performance. Griscom was born in St. Elmo, Tennessee, and was a revered and respected Associate Professor of English, initially with Chattanooga University, which later became part of the University of Tennessee System. A tireless advocate of women’s rights, Griscom was active in the American Association of University Women and the League of Women Voters..

Award

This award will provide a total of $2,000 for the 2024–2025 academic year. This amount will be paid in two equal awards of $1,000 each; one at the beginning of the fall semester, and the other when the spring semester begins (see Financial Aid and Graduate School Fellowships). This is a non-renewable fellowship and no portion of the fellowship may be deferred.

Eligibility Criteria

The program is open to graduate nominees who will be first-time enrollees in a graduate program in fall 2024 and who demonstrate successful academic and professional performance. Nominees must be admitted (or admitted conditionally) to a degree program by the Office of Graduate Admissions by February 9, 2024. This will be confirmed by the Graduate School. Recipients of this award must also be enrolled as a full-time student for both fall 2024 and spring 2025.

The Seaton endowment honors the memory of Bruce Painter Seaton and Eva Woody Seaton, who were married in Knoxville on October 14, 1922, and were lifetime residents here. Mr. Seaton served in the Knoxville Fire Department for 32 years, retiring in 1967 as assistant chief. He passed away in 1975, and Mrs. Seaton died August 10, 1992. Their daughter, Dr. Jennie D. Seaton, and other family members, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren, established this fellowship, designed to promote opportunities for graduate students who demonstrate successful academic and professional performance.

Award

This award will provide a total of $5,000 for the 2024–2025 academic year. This amount will be paid in two equal awards of $2,500 each; one at the beginning of the fall semester, and the other when the spring semester begins (see Financial Aid and Graduate School Fellowships). This is a non-renewable fellowship and no portion of the fellowship may be deferred.

Eligibility Criteria

The program is open to graduate nominees who will be first-time enrollees in a graduate program in fall 2024 and who demonstrate successful academic and professional performance. Nominees must be admitted (or admitted conditionally) to a degree program by the Office of Graduate Admissions by February 9, 2024. This will be confirmed by the Graduate School. Recipients of this award must also be enrolled as a full-time student for both fall 2024 and spring 2025.

Established in 1990 with an endowment, the Herman E. Spivey Humanities Graduate Fellowship Program honors the former Vice-President of Academic Affairs who served from 1960 to 1968. Spivey fostered academic excellence and diversity at UT. These awards will be offered to selected nominees in arts and humanities programs who have excelled in undergraduate work and shown professional potential.

Award

This award will provide a total of $5,000 for the 2024–2025 academic year. This amount will be paid in two equal awards of $2,500 each; one at the beginning of the fall semester, and the other when the spring semester begins (see Financial Aid and Graduate School Fellowships). This fellowship is renewable for a total of three years, upon the endorsement of the department and approval of the Graduate School.

Eligibility Criteria

The program is open to graduate students who will be first-time enrollees in a graduate program in fall 2024 in a department in the arts or humanities (including Art, English, Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures, History, Music, Philosophy, and Theatre). Nominees must be admitted (or admitted conditionally) to a degree program by the Office of Graduate Admissions by February 9, 2024. This will be confirmed by the Graduate School. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international nominees are eligible. Full-time registration is required for fall 2024 and spring 2025.

The J. Wallace and Katie Dean Graduate Fellowship Program was established in 2005 through an endowment provided by the Dean Trust. The Deans were longtime friends of the University of Tennessee and active community leaders in Knoxville. These awards will be offered to selected nominees who have excelled in their undergraduate work and who show promise for outstanding graduate work in excellent and demanding programs at UT. The Deans were particularly interested in using this fellowship to recruit “extraordinary students who have undergraduate degrees from top private and public universities.”

Award

This award will provide a total of $10,000 for the 2024–2025 academic year. This amount will be paid in two equal awards of $5,000 each; one at the beginning of the fall semester, and the other when the spring semester begins (see Financial Aid and Graduate School Fellowships). This is a non-renewable fellowship and no portion of the fellowship year may be deferred.

Eligibility Criteria

The program is open to graduate students who will be first-time enrollees in a graduate program in fall 2024 at UT. Nominees must be admitted (or admitted conditionally) to a degree program by the Office of Graduate Admissions by February 9, 2024. This will be confirmed by the Graduate School. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international nominees are eligible. Full-time registration is required for fall 2024 and spring 2025.

Although this fellowship is open to nominees from all colleges and programs, special consideration will be given to nominees from programs in the areas of physical and biological sciences.

The Lori Mayer Re-Entry Women’s Graduate Fellowship honors the memory of Lori Irene Mayer, who was a 1978 accounting graduate of UT. At the time of her death in October 1993, Ms. Mayer was controller at Whittle Communications, Inc. The fund for this fellowship more than doubled in size when a gift was received from her estate. The fellowship was designed to provide personal encouragement and financial support for returning adult women students.

Award

This award will provide a total of $3,000 for the 2024–2025 academic year. This amount will be paid in two equal awards of $1,500 each; one at the beginning of the fall semester, and the other when the spring semester begins (see Financial Aid and Graduate School Fellowships). This is a non-renewable fellowship and no portion of the fellowship year may be deferred.

Eligibility Criteria

Women are eligible for this fellowship. Applicants must be either (1) first-time enrollees in a UT graduate or professional degree program in fall 2024 who have not been enrolled in a degree seeking program for the last five years, or (2) a newly returning graduate or professional student who has not been enrolled for at least 5 years. Applicants must be admitted to a degree program by the Office of Graduate Admissions by February 9, 2024. This will be confirmed by the Graduate School. Applicants should be individuals who demonstrate significant potential to contribute to the Graduate School’s educational mission and its diversity-related goals. Recipients of this award must also be enrolled as a full-time student for both fall 2024 and spring 2025.

The Rowland Family Scholarship was established from a generous gift by Lafairish G. Rowland, a long-time resident of Knoxville, TN. This award is limited to students in math, science and engineering. Students with limited resources are given priority consideration.

Award

This award will provide a total of $5,000 for the 2024–2025 academic year. This amount will be paid in two equal awards of $2,500 each; one at the beginning of the fall semester, and the other when the spring semester begins (see Financial Aid and Graduate School Fellowships). This is a non-renewable fellowship and no portion of the fellowship may be deferred.

Eligibility Criteria

The award is open to graduate student nominees in math, science and engineering who will be first-time enrollees in a graduate program in fall 2024 and who demonstrate successful academic and professional performance. Nominees must be admitted (or admitted conditionally) to a degree program by the Office of Graduate Admissions by February 9, 2024. This will be confirmed by the Graduate School. Recipients of this award must be enrolled as a full-time student for both fall 2024 and spring 2025.

R. Bruce Shipley and Sara Swann Shipley of Johnson City, Tennessee established five charitable remainder trusts with the University of Tennessee between 1989 and 1999. When Mr. Shipley passed away in 2002, Mrs. Shipley terminated the trust and activated the Shipley-Swann Endowment. This fellowship is to award returning students who demonstrate academic excellence.

Award

This award will provide a total of $5,000 for the 2024–2025 academic year. This amount will be paid in two equal awards of $2,500 each; one at the beginning of the fall semester, and the other when the spring semester begins (see Financial Aid and Graduate School Fellowships). This is a non-renewable fellowship and no portion of the fellowship year may be deferred.

Eligibility Criteria

The program is open to students who are currently enrolled in a graduate degree program and will be continuing their degree program in the 2024–2025 academic year. Nominees must demonstrate academic success and professional promise. Recipients of this award must also be enrolled as a full-time student for both fall 2024 and spring 2025.

Mary Phipps Shepherd, a native of East Tennessee, graduated from the College of Education in 1932. While she was a student at UT, she served on the editorial staffs of the Volunteer, the Orange and White, and the Mugwump. She was a member of the Women Student Activities Council, the Panhellenic Council and Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Because of her great love for her alma mater, the University of Tennessee, she established this fellowship to help deserving students further their education.

Award

This award will provide a total of $1,000 for the 2024–2025 academic year. This amount will be paid in two equal awards of $500 each; one at the beginning of the fall semester, and the other when the spring semester begins (see Financial Aid and Graduate School Fellowships). This is a non-renewable fellowship and no portion of the fellowship year may be deferred.

Eligibility Criteria

The program is open to students who are currently enrolled in a graduate program and will be continuing in their degree program in the 2024–2025 academic year. Nominees must demonstrate academic success and professional promise. Recipients of this award must also be enrolled as a full-time student for both fall 2024 and spring 2025.

Oscar Roy Ashley was a 1927 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, receiving a BA in English from the College of Liberal Arts (now known as the College of Arts and Sciences). After his death in 2001, his will stipulated the use of funds to create a campus-wide fellowship fund for UT. This fellowship is for deserving and talented returning students who have demonstrated excellence in academic performance.

Award

This award will provide a total of $4,000 for the 2024–2025 academic year. This amount will be paid in two equal awards of $2,000 each; one at the beginning of the fall semester, and the other when the spring semester begins (see Financial Aid and Graduate School Fellowships). This is a non-renewable fellowship and no portion of the fellowship year may be deferred.

Eligibility Criteria

The program is open to students who are currently enrolled in a graduate program and will be continuing in their degree program in the 2024–2025 academic year. Nominees must demonstrate successful academic and professional performance. Recipients of this award must also be enrolled as a full-time student for both fall 2024 and spring 2025.

The Yates Graduate Fellowship Endowment is a legacy of the generosity of the estate of Arthur E. Yates (1915–1977), former president of Yates Bleachery Company and a dedicated friend of the University of Tennessee. The Yates Graduate Fellowship Endowment was established in June 2000 to encourage, recognize, and support outstanding graduate students. The current use of the endowment from the Yates estate provides awards to be given each academic year to doctoral students completing their dissertations.

Award

This award will provide a total of $5,000 for the 2024–2025 academic year. This amount will be paid in two equal awards of $2,500 each; one at the beginning of the fall semester, and the other when the spring semester begins (see Financial Aid and Graduate School Fellowships). This is a non-renewable fellowship and no portion of the fellowship year may be deferred.

Eligibility Criteria

A candidate must be a UT graduate student in good standing who will have completed admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree and reached dissertation stage or admitted to candidacy by fall 2024. Recipients of this award must also be enrolled in dissertation hours for both fall 2024 and spring 2025 semesters. Recipients of this award may not be full-time employees of the University of Tennessee.

The Dawn and Lawrence Taylor Dissertation Awards Endowment was established to support outstanding PhD students during the dissertation writing phase. Dawn Taylor established this endowment to serve as a reminder of the many contributions by her late husband, Lawrence A. Taylor. His scientific discoveries helped develop a greater understanding of the universe and our planet. His love for teaching and sharing knowledge impacted generations of scholars.

Award

Up to three awards in the College of Arts and Sciences (Division of Natural Sciences) and up to one award in the Tickle College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering (in “space sciences”) can be given for 2024–2025. Each award will be a $5,000 fellowship paid in fall 2024 to the student through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. This is a non-renewable fellowship and may not be deferred.

Eligibility Criteria

A candidate must be a PhD student enrolled in either the College of Arts and Sciences (Division of Natural Sciences) or the Tickle College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering (in “space sciences”). A candidate must also be a PhD student who has completed comprehensive exams and been admitted to candidacy. Paperwork for admission to candidacy must be submitted to Graduate School in order for nomination to be accepted. If there are questions about this, contact the Graduate School for verification.

Nominees must have demonstrated excellence in academic and research activity. In order to be considered, the candidate must be enrolled in dissertation credits for fall 2024.