Annual English Scholarship Recipients Announced

The Department of English and Philosophy is pleased to announce the recipients of scholarships in English for the 2023-2024 school year. Jacob Mayes, Andy King, Christopher Thomas, and Lindi Dice have all been recognized for excellence in this competitive scholarship contest.

Jacob Mayes, a junior majoring in English - Creative Writing, has been awarded the Agnes Just Reid Memorial Scholarship on the basis of his poetic work and story “Half Day.” This competitive scholarship is awarded to students in creative writing. "I am very grateful for the English Undergraduate Committee and their decision to award me the Reid Scholarship,” Jacob says. “It means a lot to me that I'll be able to worry less about affording the costs of an education and that my work has been deemed acceptable by a committee of educators." 

The Charles H. Kegel Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Andy King, who is a junior majoring in English - Professional Writing. She observes, “As a busy college student, wife and mother, it's exceptionally motivating to have been chosen as the recipient of this scholarship.” She continues, “I'm grateful for the opportunities I've enjoyed here at ISU, where I have found the professors and staff to be knowledgeable, supportive and interested in my success. I look forward to learning more from this incredible community.”

Christopher Thomas, a major in English - Professional Writing, received the Price L. Lassahn-Worrell Scholarship in English, awarded to a student who has demonstrated scholastic achievement and ability to overcome personal hardship. His application was supported by his mentor Dawn Lattin. He states, “Our culture places such great value on the rugged individualism of hard work and persistence.” He continues, that this value is “a myth that no longer serves us. It would be a disservice if I omitted the faculty, staff, and mentors in the English program and ISU community who have offered their guidance in helping me finish my studies at the age of 34.”

Lindi Dice, a sophomore majoring in English - Creative Writing, has received the Jay G. and Mary Donna Jensen Scholarship. She writes, “As a low-income student, scholarships are the only way I am able to be here, so this helps me continue my education here at Idaho State. I am majoring in creative writing with minors in linguistics and literature. With this degree, I hope to become an international English and language teacher in underrepresented areas.”

Each year, the Scholarship Committee in the Department of English and Philosophy gathers student submissions to the Bengal Online Scholarship System, and reviews dozens of applications from current English students, who specialize in Literature, Creative Writing, Professional Writing, and English Education.

This year, the English and Philosophy Reid and Jensen scholarships, which were founded decades ago and have smaller annual stipends, were enhanced by a generous, anonymous donation given as part of Bengal Giving Day.