Three Texas Woman's University students from the Denton campus will receive scholarships at the upcoming Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award luncheon. Heather Roberts Tiffany Smith Hannah Mills
Heather Roberts, Tiffany Smith and Hannah Mills as well as a fourth student, Kathleen Shannon-McAdams from the TWU Houston campus, will receive scholarships at the 10th annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon on Feb. 16 at the Belo Mansion in Dallas.
Students from the colleges of health sciences, nursing, arts and sciences, and professional education are nominated by faculty members, and one student from each college is chosen.
Each student will receive $2,500 from a different underwriter.
Roberts and Smith both said the money will help them continue with their research. Mills, who is in her first semester as a doctoral student, hasn't narrowed down her research topic but indicated the money will help her as she earns her doctorate.
Roberts was chosen from the College of Health Sciences and is pursuing a doctorate in occupational therapy.
Roberts was chosen from the College of Health Sciences and is pursuing a doctorate in occupational therapy.
The 34-year-old is already working as an occupational therapist for the Denton school district but realized she's interested in teaching others as a professor, she said. Her interest in teaching was sparked while she was working at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
Roberts said it was an honor to be nominated for the award, which was sponsored by Edgemere Dallas. She plans to complete her degree by the end of 2013.
"I'm excited that the scholarship is going to help me move forward with my research," she said.
She is researching a better way to serve children with special needs in the school system. LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON
• What: Texas Woman's University's 10th annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon• When: 11:15 a.m. Feb. 16 reception, followed by luncheon at noon • Where: Belo Mansion, 2101 Ross Ave. in Dallas• Details: For more information, visit www.twu.edu/vcd .
Smith, 27, is pursuing a master's degree in history in the College of Arts and Sciences.
She said she became interested in history at an early age when she discovered letters that her grandfather wrote during World War II.
Smith received her undergraduate degree in history from TWU. She plans to complete her master's in spring 2013, then pursue a doctorate.
"It's a wonderful scholarship," Smith said.
It'll help her complete her research, which focuses on military enlistment and patriotism in World War II, by helping her travel to universities with oral histories, she said.
Smith's scholarship was sponsored by Sis Carr.
Mills is pursuing a doctorate in early child development and education in the College of Professional Education.
She earned her Master of Science in child development at TWU in December. Mills said her goal is to become a professor.
"I'm thrilled to be continuing at TWU," she said, adding that the faculty members have been supportive and great mentors.
Although Mills hasn't narrowed down her research focus, she plans to look at children's attachments to their parents or caregiver and how it affects them, or the benefits of recess for elementary-age students.
"The two main topics would be attachment and recess," she said.
Smith was honored to be nominated for the scholarship, which will help her continue with her education, she said. Her scholarship was sponsored by Geraldine "Tincy" Miller.
RACHEL MEHLHAFF can be reached at 940-566-6889. Her e-mail address is rmehlhaff@dentonrc.com .
