Donations to the Sociology and Anthropology Department

Our students and the Department benefit tremendously from donations from alumni, friends, and supporters. Such support helps students defray the costs of a college education; participate in conference workshops, and study abroad programs; conduct original research; or gain needed internship experience. Donations also help the Department offer guest lectures and symposia and sponsor events that enrich the academic life of both students and faculty. 

When you give, you can designate a specific scholarship or fund for your gift. Some examples are the Social Science Symposium, Archaeological Field School, Study Abroad, Graduate Student Research, Student Enrichment Functions, Guest Lectures, or scholarships. Several options for giving are listed below.

To make a gift online , click on Donate to MTSU . You MUST designate that your gift go to one of our department funds in order for the Department of Sociology and Anthropology to access your donation. You can select Sociology Department Department Chair's Fund or indicate a specific departmental fund in the Other Giving Preference/Additional Comments box. Then finish filling in the information and click next at the bottom. The site accepts MasterCard, VISA and American Express.

To establish a new scholarship or for more information about supporting the Sociology and Anthropology Department, please contact: Meredith Kerr, Development Director, College of Liberal Arts, Middle Tennessee State University, MTSU P.O. Box 109, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132. (615) 898-5223.

On behalf of the faculty and students of the Sociology and Anthropology Department, we sincerely thank you for your consideration.

Scholarship Funds

Clayton James Scholarship
Established in 1969, from the agreement signed by Mrs. Clayton James upon the donation of $20,000 for an endowed scholarship:

"The scholarship is intended for a student majoring in Sociology with interest in service to society, a student should have completed two years of work with at least a 3.0 GPA in Sociology and must continue to work toward a sociology major. Among qualifying students, the selection committee will consider: student's plans for service, financial need, and extra-curricular activities."

Joe Ramsey Leatherman Scholarship
Established in 1967, the family of Joe Ramsey Leatherman suggested that the student who received this scholarship "must reflect traditional ideals, maturity which recognizes the realities of the social system, demonstrated academic ability and motivation, commitment to life goals of social service, a significant degree of financial need related to the achievement of these goals." This scholarship is available to any student majoring in the department (Sociology or Anthropology) and entering their senior year.

Marian Clark Scholarship
Established in 1995, MTSU offers several (15-25) Marian Clark Scholarships of approximately $2,000. per year to students majoring in the Department of Social Work and Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

These scholarships are the result of the generosity of Ms. Marian Clark who graduated from MTSU in 1974 with a degree in Sociology. Ms. Clark was born in the Liberty community outside of Clarksville, Tennessee, in 1923 and died in 1995. She is fondly remembered for her dedication to education and the social services.

Marian Clark's will states, "It is my desire that the proceeds of this bequest be utilized for scholarships to persons majoring in Social Services or in a similar curriculum."

Present or potential students who will be a junior, senior or graduate student at MTSU may apply for a Marian Clark Scholarship. All applicants must be social work majors, pre-social work majors, or seeking a degree with an emphasis in Gerontology/Sociology/Anthropology and have a GPA of 3.0 or better.

Marian Clark Scholars will demonstrate:

  • Committment to the field of social services. (Volunteer work, involvement with service organizations, career plans, and employment experiences in the social services are indicators of such committment.)
  • Scholarship. (Overall GPA, grades in courses related to social work and gerontology/sociology/anthropology and scholastic potential are indicators of scholarship.)
  • Financial need. Low income is not a requirement for a scholarship, but the financial resources of applicants will be considered. (Income, child care and other expenses, need to limit employment, and ineligibility for other types of grants are indicators of financial need.)

Marilyn Wells Scholarship
The Marilyn Wells Anthropology Scholarship was established in 2007 to honor the contributions of Dr. Marilyn Wells, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology, who created the foundation for anthropology at MTSU from 1966 until her retirement in 2002.

All applicants must be anthropology majors in good standing.

Marilyn Wells Scholars will demonstrate:

  • Commitment to the field of anthropology. (Volunteer work, involvement with anthropology organizations, career plans, and employment experiences in anthropology are indicators of such commitment.)
  • Scholarship. (Overall GPA, grades in courses related to anthropology, research experience, and scholastic potential are indicators of scholarship.)
  • Financial need. Low income is not a requirement for a scholarship, but the financial resources of applicants will be considered. (Income, child care and other expenses, need to limit employment, and ineligibility for other types of grants are indicators of financial need.)

    In recognition of Dr. Wells' emphasis on study abroad and field experiences, special consideration will be given to students planning to use the scholarship support for study abroad or field experiences.

Other Departmental Funds

If you need further information about other giving opportunities for the department, please contact the Executive Aide, Stephanie Steiner at (615) 904-8334 or email at stephanie.steiner@mtsu.edu.