Dorothy Lloyd Gilbert Awards

The Dorothy Lloyd Gilbert Awards for English Majors provide financial assistance to deserving English majors for career planning and preparation. This year, there will be two separate award categories offered: one to rising seniors to pursue further study or internship work in the summer before their final year at Guilford; the second is for graduating seniors to pursue post-grad study or some other vocational discernment activity crucial to the transition from student to professional.  The awards total $25,000.00, with the amount of each individual award determined by the requests of winning applications. These awards are offered because a generous alumna recognizes the value of academic and professional experiences that enhance opportunities for personal growth and enrichment. The awards are intended to aid English majors in making the transition from student into a career built upon skills learned as an English major at Guilford College. To find out more about applying, visit the Gilbert Awards Application Process page.

Award Specifics

Summer Practicum Award

Eligibility is open to all English majors with junior status heading into their final year at Guilford (rising seniors). The award must be used in the summer of 2009—and the project undertaken must be completed by the beginning of the Fall semester. As such, the Summer Practicum Grant is intended to support projects that will provide career preparation and aid in the vocational discernment process. Individual grants in this category are expected to range between $500 - $2000. Applicants must clearly state how they will use the funds, the relevance of the project to their English major, how their project will further their vocational goals, and why they are deserving of the award. You MUST submit two proposals and two budget forms as internship opportunities are competitive and admittance to a specific program is not guaranteed!

Some suggestions for possible proposals include:

  • Taking a particular course not offered at Guilford but essential to preparing for graduate school application to programs in English, Creative Writing, or Literature;
  • Undertaking an internship;
  • Formally working as a literacy volunteer or teaching assistant to see if this career path is for you;
  • Gaining a certificate or specialized training that will help you blend your writing skills with technology, medical, financial or legal fields.

Post-graduation Award

Eligibility is open to all graduating seniors with an English major, including those who have already graduated in December 2008. Post Graduation Award applications are welcomed from students who were awarded the Summer Practicum Award as rising seniors, but no preference will be given to these applicants. The award is meant to be used after graduation (Summer and Fall 2009-Spring 2010)—and the project undertaken should have clear boundaries. This award is meant to support an English major’s transition from student to professional and to help students translate the skills they have learned as English majors into enter a career of their dreams. Individual grants in this category are expected to range between $2000 -$15,000. Applicants must clearly state how they will use the funds, the relevance of the project to their English major, how their project will further their vocational goals, and why they are deserving of the award.

Some suggestions for award consideration include funding for a graduating senior who:

  • decides to pursue a career in teaching, and needs to fulfill the 5th year student teaching requirement, or wants to teach abroad;
  • requires supplemental income to take on a post-graduate internship or non-paying fellowship;
  • enrolls in a graduate or certificate program in a field related to English or writing;
  • pursues an apprenticeship in a specialized area of writing: medical, technical, legal, web, or financial writing.