Laura Richardson Whitaker Memorial Graduate Award in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Laura Richardson Whitaker

December 29, 1970 – March 23, 1994

Laura, a daughter of Seldon V. Whitaker Jr. and Susan Gurry Whitaker of State College, graduated in 1988 from State College Area High School, where she participated in the alternative program and served as the secretary of the program’s advisory council.  Upon graduation, she received the Richard M. Sharp Award for Excellence for academic and civic achievement.  She was a senior at Penn State, majoring in History and had been elected to Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society.

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The Laura Richardson Whitaker Memorial Award recognizes excellence in research. The award supports dissertation-related research expenses of doctoral students enrolled in the WGSS dual-title program. (Minors are not eligible.) Self-nominations are welcome. Applications should include:

• A 1–2 page statement describing the applicant’s dissertation project with specific attention to research methods and goals
• A budget and brief budget justification, including a list of other funding sources or outstanding applications for funding (one page max)
• Two letters of recommendation that focus on the applicant’s research
• A current CV