DAN MCLEOD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

DAN MCLEOD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

2009-2010

IMPORTANT: READ AND RETAIN A COPY FOR YOUR RECORDS

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION

MATERIALS TO BE RECEIVED BY THE

UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA: JUNE 15, 2009

INTRODUCTION

It is with great love and hope that we introduce you to William Daniel (Danny) McLeod, Jr. Danny had an outgoing, engaging personality and enjoyed life to the fullest. Many knew him as a dear friend, a devoted member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church, a great neighbor, and a loving husband and father. Some knew him as an outstanding photographer. Until he decided to give it up, Danny was one of the most sought after wedding photographers in Pensacola.

For the last 25 years of his life Danny (Dan as his UWF colleagues called him) was employed with the University of West Florida. In his last position he was Coordinator of Computer Systems in the Information Technology Services department. In this position Dan was responsible for managing the software application that supported the Internet based educational programs of the university.

In late 2001, Danny was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better know as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Danny continued to work long after his diagnosis and showed tremendous courage and determination as his disease gradually took away his ability to function. He found unique and clever means to overcome many of his growing disabilities and he never lost the ability to make us smile. He was truly an inspiration to those who knew him and especially those who worked with him.

The Dan McLeod Memorial Scholarship was founded to honor and remember Danny McLeod and to offer help to students who may be struggling with a visible or invisible disability. We understand the special challenges facing many disabled students and our hope is to lessen the financial challenge.

Our only request is that the recipients of the Dan McLeod Memorial Scholarship strive to be a positive example and inspiration to every student and employee of the University of West Florida. Please continue Danny’s legacy of hard work and unbreakable spirit.

Denise & Kylie McLeod

The Dan McLeod Memorial Scholarship is a competitively awarded scholarship which is available to undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities who attend the University of West Florida (UWF). Students must adhere to the following application guidelines in order to qualify for consideration.

APPLICANTS MUST:

Have a 2.5 GPA or above.
Have a documented disability on record with the UWF SDRC or their current high school. This will be verified by the SDRC.
Be citizens of the United States.

Grade point average and disability will be verified by the University’s Student Disability Resource Center.

Students should contact the SDRC at (850) 474-2387 for clarification of requirements.

SUBMISSIONS:

Applicants must submit the following in order to be considered:

A completed 2009-2010 Dan McLeod Memorial Scholarship application
A personal statement pertaining to your achievements, activities, career goals and the effects of your disability(ies).
Two letters of reference addressing your academic success and potential.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Application, personal statement, and letters of reference must be received by the SDRC no later than June 15, 2009.

NOTIFICATION:

All applicants will be notified of their status as a Dan McLeod Memorial Scholarship recipient. Notification letters will be e-mailed by the second week of August to the e-mail address specified on the Dan McLeod Memorial Scholarship application.

IF SELECTED, RECIPIENT WILL:

Complete and return an acceptance form by the date specified in the notification letter. Failure to return the acceptance form by the specified date will result in forfeiture of the award.
Receive an invitation to meet the family of Dan McLeod at the University’s annual scholarship luncheon.

Undergraduate students will be required to complete a minimum of nine (9) credit hours each semester and graduate students will be required to complete a minimum of six (6) credit hours each semester.
Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average if an undergraduate student. Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average if a graduate student.

AWARD PAYMENT:

After verification of enrollment, the University of West Florida will disburse the award equally over the fall and spring semesters to the eligible Dan McLeod Memorial Scholarship recipient. The dollar amount of the award is contingent upon available funds, but will be no less than $400 per semester.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Contact the Student Disability Resource Center, located in building 21, room 130 on the UWF main campus, at (850) 474-2387.

Dan McLeod Memorial Scholarship

2009-2010 Application Form

This form and supporting application materials must be received by the Student Disability Resource Center no later than June 15, 2009. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please select applicable status:
First time Dan McLeod Memorial Scholarship applicant
I have applied for this scholarship in previous years
I have been a recipient of this scholarship in (indicate year)

Name: Last Name: First Middle Initial:

Current Street Address:

City: State: Zip:

Primary Telephone Number: Alternate Telephone Number:

Email Address

Are you currently registered with the Student Disability Resource Center? Yes No

If not, are you an incoming freshman? Yes No

CURRENT CUMULATIVE GPA:

HAVE YOU BEEN ADMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY? (check one) Yes No

2009-2010 ACADEMIC LEVEL:
(check one) Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Masters Doctorate

ANTICIPATED UNIVERSITY GRADUATION DATE:

Applicants must submit the following:
         - A completed 2009-2010 Dan McLeod Memorial Scholarship application.
         - A personal statement pertaining to your achievements, activities, career goals and the effects of your disability(ies).
         - Two letters of reference addressing your academic success and potential.

After initial application screening, a selection of applicants may be asked to meet with the selection committee.

Read the following statements and sign below. Unsigned applications will not be considered.

I certify that I have read and understand the conditions of this scholarship, and that the information I am supplying in this application is true, complete, and correct.

Furthermore, I attest that I am a citizen of the United States of America, I have a documented disability, and my GPA is at or above 2.5.

I grant permission for the appropriate University of West Florida personnel to release information pertaining to my GPA, disability, and application to the Dan McLeod Scholarship Committee strictly for the purposes of determining the scholarship recipient.

Finally, I understand that this application has no bearing on admissions to a particular program or college.

(Signature-type name & email address if submitting electronically) System date will be used as the official date of submission.

[UWF ONLY]

DAN MCLEOD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS

1. Notification to all current students registered with SDRC regarding the Dan McLeod Memorial Scholarship for the upcoming fall term is e-mailed mid-March.

2. An introductory letter and applications are e-mailed to local high schools and community colleges.

3. A folder is created for all applicants who return required documents.

4. A check list is created for each folder.

5. Selected recipient is e-mailed a letter of award and acceptance form.

6. The Dan McLeod Memorial Scholarship Selection Committee will meet 1-2 times a year. The first meeting will consist of a review of all candidate applications meeting the minimum criteria. The second meeting may consist of an interview with the top candidates.

7. The Selection Committee will consist of two voting representatives from the UWF ITS Department and one voting representative from the Financial Aid Office. Also on the committee, as non-voting members, may be one or more representatives from the family of Dan McLeod, and a representative from the Student Disability Resource Center.

MEMORANDUM

February 26, 2009

To: All students

From: Office for Disability Accommodation

Subject: 2009-2010 Dan McLeod Memorial Scholarship

The Dan McLeod Memorial Scholarship application materials are available online at the Student Disability Resource Center website: http://uwf.edu/sdrc/mcleodscholarship.cfm. Students who are interested in applying for this scholarship must complete and return the following documents no later than June 15, 2009:

A completed 2009-2010 Dan McLeod Memorial Scholarship application
A personal statement pertaining to you achievements, activities, career goals and the effects of your disability(ies).
Two letters of reference addressing your academic success and potential.

For additional information, please contact the Student Disability Resource Center (21/130) or call (850) 474-2387.

Dan McLeod Memorial

Scholarship Policy

Scholarship Recipient:

Complete and return an acceptance form by the date specified in your notification letter. Failure to return the acceptance form by the specified date will result in forfeiture of the award.

Recipients may be invited to the annual Scholarship Luncheon or other university events where they will have the opportunity to meet the family of Dan McLeod.

The scholarship recipient must enroll in and complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of undergraduate or 6 credit hours graduate course work each semester. The scholarship will be discontinued if the scholarship recipient fails to meet the minimum credit hour requirement.

Maintain the minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average requirement for this award.

Recipient should contact the Student Disability Resource Center in the event health problems or other extenuating circumstances affect the individual’s ability to maintain the minimum scholarship criteria.

Miscellaneous Information:

Many support services are available to students at the University of West Florida. These include, but are not limited to, tutorial services, academic advising, career advising, placement services, and counseling services. Additionally, the Students Disability Resource Center, located in Building 21, Room 130 can provide you with valuable information, appropriate auxiliary aids, and other support services. You may also reach this office by calling (850) 474-2387. We encourage you to explore these resources.