Learn the History Behind Our Scholarships

Each year, the History Department awards a number of merit and need-based scholarships and awards to currently enrolled students. Most scholarship decisions will take place by early spring. If you have any questions, please feel free to email the Scholarship and Awards Committee. Visit the Financial Aid and Scholarships page for information about additional scholarships open to MTSU students.

Visit the MTSU Scholarship Portal to Apply

Frederic M. Crawford History Scholarship in European and Global History

Named in honor of Dr. Frederic M. Crawford, who joined the MTSU History Department in 1964 and retired in December 2011. In his 45-year career, Dr. Crawford taught many courses, including Roman and Greek History, the French Revolution and Napoleon, Absolutism and Enlightenment, and Western Civilization. He was well-known for his generosity and his love of baseball and politics.

This scholarship is available to undergraduate History majors. 

---

Edward L. and Aileen O. Jennings Scholarship in History

Named in honor of Edward L. Jennings and his wife, Aileen O. Jennings (a graduate of Cumberland University in 1938), who were both graduates of Liberty High School in DeKalb County, Tennessee. Edward Jennings received his bachelor's degree in 1938 from Middle Tennessee, served on the State Board of Education for more than 20 years, served as president of the National Alumni Association in the mid-1960s, and helped organize the MTSU Foundation (and served as one of its trustees for its first 13 years). In recognition of his many contributions to the university, he was honored as "Distinguished Alumnus" on 7 May 1983. Mr. Jennings was an attorney, and Mrs. Jennings was a teacher.

This scholarship is available to undergraduate History majors.

---

Ernest Hooper History Scholarship

Named in honor of Dr. Ernest Hooper, who received his bachelor's degree from Middle Tennessee State College in 1942 and then served in the Hospital Corps of the U.S. Navy until the end of World War II. He received his master's and doctorate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1949 and 1957. He served as professor and dean at Yankton College from 1958 until 1960, when he joined the faculty at Middle Tennessee State University. He retired in 1982. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro from the time he was nine until 1950, and he returned to First Presbyterian in 1960 when he joined the faculty. During his retirement, he volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, Hospice, the Rutherford County Historical Association, and the Rutherford County Retired Teachers Association.

This scholarship is available to undergraduate History majors.

---

Roscoe and Lucy Strickland Awards

Named in honor of Dr. Roscoe and Mrs. Lucy Strickland, who were long-time and generous donors to the History Department and advocates for the importance of history in the university and in the community. Dr. Roscoe L. Strickland Jr. was one of the founding members of the History Department in 1963, having joined the faculty in 1949, and he served as the first President of the Faculty Senate. Lucy Strickland also served on the MTSU faculty and was very active in the Murfreesboro community, including service as the first President of the Murfreesboro League of Women Voters and service on the MTSU Foundation. This set of three awards was created to recognize outstanding historical research projects by MTSU’s History majors and minors in a public manner each spring semester.

This scholarship is available to currently enrolled or recently graduated History majors and minors. 

---

William and Westy Windham History Scholarship

The William and Westy Windham History Scholarship was established by William and Westy Windham through the MTSU Foundation to benefit students who are working toward becoming history teachers. Dr. William Windham was a member of the MTSU faculty from 1955 to 1989 and served as chairman of the Department of History for eleven years. The late Westy Windham (1927-91) earned a master's degree in sociology at MTSU and was the founder of the Great American Singalong.

This scholarship is available to students pursuing the History BA or BS with Teaching Licensure.

---

Bart McCash Memorial Scholarship

Named in honor of Dr. William Barton "Bart" McCash, a member of the History Department faculty and its Chair. He was a scholar, teacher, leader, and friend to the department during his 30 years there (1961-1991). He published 2 books and won the university's outstanding teacher award. Students remembered him as a teacher who challenged their assumptions and made them want to learn. Members of the MTSU community honored his integrity and his professional vision. And his many friends and members of his family simply cherish his memory.

This scholarship is available to undergraduate History majors as well as MA and PhD students. 

---

Thelma Jennings Scholarship

Named in honor of Dr. Thelma Jennings, who taught for a number of years in the Wilson County Public School System. She received her master's degree from MTSU and joined the History faculty in 1996 after received her Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee. Her teaching focused on American history, especially the Old South and the Civil War. She retired in 1985 and established this scholarship that same year.

This scholarship is available to History graduate students. 

---

James N. Leonard History Scholarship

Named in honor of Dr. James N. Leonard to honor his passion for "fostering better racial understanding".

This scholarship is available to undergraduate History majors as well as MA and PhD students. 

---

James E. Taylor Scholarship

 

This scholarship is available to undergraduate History majors. 

---

Roscoe and Lucy Strickland International Study Award

Named in honor of Dr. Roscoe and Mrs. Lucy Strickland, who were long-time and generous donors to the History Department and advocates for the importance of history in the university and in the community. Dr. Roscoe L. Strickland Jr. was one of the founding members of the History Department in 1963, having joined the faculty in 1949, and he served as the first President of the Faculty Senate. Lucy Strickland also served on the MTSU faculty and was very active in the Murfreesboro community, including serving as the first President of the Murfreesboro League of Women Voters and service on the MTSU Foundation. This Award was established to help defray the costs of participating in any international exchange program established by the MTSU History Department that has a formal memorandum of understanding in place.

This scholarship is available to undergraduate History majors as well as MA and PhD students. 

---

May Dean Eberling Scholarships

Named in honor of May Dean Eberling, an MTSU alumna who was presented with the Distinguished Service to the Community Award. May Dean Eberling was heavily involved in education, and in historic preservation. She was the first Executive of the Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, as well as the Community Services Director and Executive Producer at WTVF.

This scholarship is available to undergraduate History majors as well as MA and PhD students in the Public History program.

---

 

James W. "Wally" Sudduth Scholarship

James W. “Wally” Sudduth served his county in Vietnam and then enrolled in MTSU, where he played basketball and majored in History.  He credits his love of history to his high school teacher and coach which was his dream.  While at MTSU, he served as Asssitant Sports Information Director and graduated in three years, magna cum laude with a major in history and minors in psychology and communications.  He then pursued a long and fruitful career in sales. His love of history and reading never changed until about nine months before he passed away. He always talked about his love of MTSU and helping students who have a dream, a love of history, and those who have a need. This scholarship was created in honor of Wally by his wife, Martha, and son, Patrick.

This scholarship is available to undergraduate History majors, particularly those with financial need and who complete internships as part of their degree.