In addition to competing for general scholarships available to all Purdue University students, undergraduates majoring in Professional Writing can apply annually for any of the four $5,000 Crouse Scholarships in Writing and Publishing, Technical Writing, Print and Electronic Publishing, and Professional Writing/Writing Lab Collaboration. The Submission Instructions are at the bottom of this node.

The application deadline for the 2008/2009 scholarships is Friday, March 7, 2008, 3 p.m.

Past Scholarship Winners

• In 2007/2008, awardees were Beth Kaniewski (Internship in Print and Digital Publishing), Michelle Keesling ( Internship in Professional Writing/Writing Lab Collaboration), and Julie Jansen (Writing and Publishing)
• In 2006/2007, awardees were Beth Kaniewski (Internship in in Print and Digital Publishing) and Katy Schmaling (Professional Writing/Writing Lab Collaboration).
• In 2005/2006, awardees were Roban Kearby (Technical Writing), Angela R. Olson (Professional Writing/Writing Lab Collaboration), and Katie Lietz (Writing and Publishing).
• In 2004/2005, awardees were Betsy Conklin (Technical Writing), Angela R. Olson (Writing and Publishing), Kindra Hunckler Internship in Print and Electronic Publishing), Sachiko Sakamura (Professional Writing/Writing Lab Collaboration).
• In 2003/2004 awardees were Jay Blackman (Writing and Publishing), Betsty Gutwein (Writing and Publishing), and Arthur Bottorff (Internship in Print and Electronic Publishing).
• In 2002/2003 the winners were Abby Jones (Writing and Publishing), Betsy Gutwein (Internship in Print and Electronic Publishing), and Krista Richey (Writing and Publishing).
• In 2001/2002, the Crouse Scholarship recipients were Misti Pinter (Writing and Publishing), Amy Brown (Technical Writing), and Rachel Mack (Internship in Print and Electronic Publishing).

Description of Crouse Scholarships

Writing and Publishing: The Professional Writing Program offers a $5,000 scholarship for a Professional Writing undergraduate major specializing in Writing and Publishing. This scholarship, funded by a generous endowment from William H. and Ruth E. Crouse, is designed to support students of exceptional ability and promise as they complete their coursework in the Writing and Publishing track of the major. Applications for the award are judged by a committee composed of faculty in Professional Writing at Purdue as well as professionals in the field. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of academic achievement, an application letter, a resume, and portfolio of work. To apply for the award, submit one copy of the following materials:

• an application letter that specifies which scholarship you have applied for and that discusses your career goals
• an unofficial transcript
• a resume
• a portfolio containing two samples of your work in writing and publishing

See the submission instructions below for further details.

Technical Writing: The Professional Writing Program offers a $5,000 scholarship for a Professional Writing undergraduate major specializing in Technical Writing. This scholarship, funded by a generous endowment from William H. and Ruth E. Crouse, is designed to support students of exceptional ability and promise as they complete their coursework in the Technical Writing track of the major. Applications for the award are judged by a committee composed of faculty in Professional Writing at Purdue as well as professionals in the field. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of academic achievement, an application letter, a resume, and a writing portfolio. To apply for the award, submit one copy of the following materials:

• an application letter that specifies which scholarship you have applied for and that discusses your career goals
• an unofficial transcript
• a resume
• a portfolio containing two samples of your work in technical writing

See the submission instructions below for further details.

Internship in Print and Electronic Publishing: The Professional Writing Program offers a $5,000 scholarship to provide a Professional Writing undergraduate major the opportunity to work as an intern in the production and publication of an academic journal, The Writing Instructor, the networked journal/research community published under the auspices of Purdue University’s Department of English, and in development of digital content for major Websites hosted by Professional Writing, including local Human Relations Commissions, the Council of Writing Program Administrators, and the Center for Digital Publishing. Students from both tracks of the Professional Writing major—Writing & Publishing and Technical Writing—are eligible for the award. This scholarship, funded by a generous endowment from William H. and Ruth E. Crouse, is designed to support students of exceptional ability and promise as they gain experience in the activity of academic publishing. Students may also be awarded course credit (e.g., ENGL 589, 590, or equivalent) depending on the number of hours worked. Applications are judged by a committee composed of faculty in Professional Writing at Purdue as well as professionals in the publishing industry. Applicants for the award are evaluated on the basis of academic achievement and potential, an application letter, a resume, and a portfolio of work. To apply for the award, submit one copy of the following materials:

• an application letter that specifies which scholarship you have applied for and that discusses your career goals
• an unofficial transcript
• a resume
• a portfolio containing two samples of writing, editorial work, or other work indicating achievement as a professional writer

Internship in Professional Writing/Writing Lab Collaboration: The Professional Writing Program offers a $5,000 scholarship to provide a Professional Writing undergraduate major the opportunity to work as an intern in Purdue's Writing Lab to help develop workshop and other content for Professional Writing students and instructors and to study collaboration in complex, user-centered writing situations. Students from both tracks of the Professional Writing major—Writing & Publishing and Technical Writing—are eligible for the award. This scholarship, funded by a generous endowment from William H. and Ruth E. Crouse, is designed to support students of exceptional ability and promise as they gain experience in the activities of collaboration and support in writing and publishing contexts. Students may also be awarded course credit (e.g., ENGL 589, 590, or equivalent) depending on the number of hours worked. Applications are judged by a committee composed of faculty in Professional Writing and Rhetoric and Composition at Purdue. Applicants for the award are evaluated on the basis of academic achievement and potential, an application letter, a resume, and a portfolio of work. To apply for the award, submit one copy of the following materials:

• an application letter that specifies which scholarship you have applied for and that discusses your career goals
• an unofficial transcript
• a resume
• a portfolio containing two samples of writing, user-documentation, or other work indicating achievement as a professional writer

Submission Instructions

Students may apply for more than one scholarship. For each scholarship applied for, send or deliver one copy of your application materials to

Dr. David Blakesley
Director of Professional Writing
Department of English
Purdue University
500 Oval Dr.
West Lafayette, IN 47907

Mailed copies of the application materials must arrive on or before the due date.

Materials may be delivered in person to Cathy Archer, Secretary for Professional Writing and Introductory Composition, in Heavilon 302. Awards are made in late-March for disbursement during the following academic year. The awards are distributed through the Financial Aid Office at Purdue University and can be used for any academic expenses.

Application Deadline: Friday, March 7, 2008, 3 p.m.

For additional information, email Dr. Blakesley at blakesle@purdue.edu or call (765) 494-3772.

General Note about Application Deadlines: Announced in February or March of each year (the deadline now falls in early March). Supplementary scholarship application deadlines are announced when appropriate or available.