Academic scholarships

Lakeview United Methodist Church Scholarship

The Lakeview United Methodist Church Scholarship was established in 1984 for the purpose of providing scholarship support to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in courses related to the Comparative Study of Religions within the Department of Comparative Cultural Studies.

Lois Kellogg Duncan Scholarships

The Lois Kellogg Duncan Scholarship is awarded for a term of one academic year to fulltime students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in courses related to the Public Humanities within the Department of Comparative Cultural Studies.

Dennis H. Atkin and Family Humanities Scholarship

The Dennis H. Atkin and Family Humanities Scholarship supports students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in courses related to the Humanities within the Department of Comparative Cultural Studies. The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage and promote understanding between the peoples of the United States and Asian countries. Preference is given to students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in courses related to Asia, who have junior or senior status, maintain at least a 2.5 GPA at the time of application, and demonstrate scholastic merit and/or financial need.

John Saxton Acker Memorial Scholarship

The John Saxton Acker Memorial Scholarship was established and is contributed to by colleagues, students and friends of Dr. Acker who benefited from his knowledge, encouragement and passion for the Arts and Humanities, and his respect for Indigenous Peoples and their traditions. The scholarship awards provide support for undergraduate students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in courses related to Art History and the Humanities within the Department of Comparative Cultural Studies.

Application instructions

There is one application for all four scholarships. Students must be enrolled full-time to be eligible for CCS scholarships. Please email your completed application form to comparativeculturalstudies@nau.edu. Paper copies will not be accepted. You can download the application as a PDF  or as a Microsoft docx.

Application deadline

The application will open in February 2023. Extensions can be sought by reaching out to the Department of Comparative Cultural Studies (see info below).

Questions?

Email us at comparativeculturalstudies@nau.edu.

Additional Department Awards

• Junior Book Prize, awarded annually to a junior in each emphasis and minor who shows outstanding academic promise.
• The Bill Mahan/Arne Hassing Religious Studies Award, awarded each semester to a graduating senior who focused their studies in the comparative study of religion during their degree program in CCS.
• Each semester, one CCS major is recognized as the Outstanding Senior for Comparative Cultural Studies.

Outstanding Senior for Spring 2022

CCS major (emphasis in the Comparative Study of Religions) Dominic Counihan has been recognized as the Outstanding Senior for the department. Dominic previously received the Lakeview United Methodist Scholarship in 2020. He is from Tehachapi in California and also pursued a major in Military Science. Dominic chose to major in CCS out of his desire for promoting interpersonal relationships and says that he “wants everyone to feel accepted and respected, which is why I chose to study CCS- so that I could gain a better understanding of people and the communities/values that exist between them.” Dominic also remarked on how his experience in CCS has helped him gain perspective of other cultures and “I can honestly say that I have become more open-minded and accepting of change, adversity, new concepts, and especially of different religions and their beliefs.” After graduation, he will commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. He will initially be a Chaplain Candidate with an Education Delay to his active duty service obligation as he completes his seminary education to become a Catholic priest. The Diocese of Phoenix recently accepted Dominic as a seminarian and he will attend St. John Vianney’s Seminary in Denver, Colorado in the Fall of 2022.

2022 Comparative Cultural Studies Scholarship Recipients

Mckenzi Monical, Atkin Family Scholarship

CCS major (B.A. in Comparative Cultural Studies, emphasis in Art History, Museum Studies minor) Mckenzi Monical has been awarded the Atkin Family scholarship. Mckenzi is from Joshua Tree, California. She is interested in a career in museums as a curator or an archivist. Mckenzi writes “I have thoroughly enjoyed every CCS and Art History course at NAU but I especially loved my CCS 250 class with Dr. Dunja Jelesijevic on monsters and the supernatural in Asian cultures.”

Angela Brauer, Atkin Family Scholarship

CCS major (B.IS. in Humanities) Angela Brauer has been awarded the Atkin Family scholarship. She is lives in Tucson and recently transferred to NAU from Pima Community  College with her Associate in Arts degree. Angela writes “The cross-cultural aspect of Humanities is what I really love about the major. I am able to look at things in a new way and better understand other people and their culture because of what I have learned. Overall, my favorite CCS class so far was HUM371 Technology & Culture. In this class, humanistic values like tolerance and freedom are examined in relation to the technological society that we live in today. I learned so much and my perspective on technology really changed. The professor, Dr. Pratt, was so helpful and supportive as it was  my first full year at NAU.”

Brandi Vega, Kellogg Duncan Scholarship

CCS major (B.IS. in Humanities) Brandie Vega has been awarded the Kellogg Duncan scholarship. Brandie is pursuing triple majors, including a B.IS. Strategic Leadership  and a B.S. in Communication Science and Disorders. She currently lives in Tucson and is nearing the end of her programs. Brandie writes “ Each CCS class has been amazing and I am so thankful for each. Every instructor has made a lifetime impression on me. Dr. Pratt, Dr. Coleman, and every other instructor I’ve had has been amazing!  I’m especially thankful that Dr. Pratt’s digital humanities class, as it helped me to enjoy working in technology again because I see that now more than ever, how technology could be used to help people and achieve meaningful things.”

2021 Comparative Cultural Studies Scholarship and Junior Book Prize Recipients

Alexis Nelson, Kellogg Duncan Scholarship

CCS major (emphasis Public Humanities) Alexis Nelson has been awarded the Kellogg Duncan scholarship. Alexis is pursuing also a minor in Public Administration and a certificate in Non-Profit and Social Entrepreneurship.

2020 Comparative Cultural Studies Scholarship and Junior Book Prize Recipients

Dominic Counihan, Lakeview United Methodist Scholarship

CCS major (emphasis Comparative Study of Religions) Dominic Counihan will receive the Lakeview United Methodist Scholarship. He is from Tehachapi in California and is also pursuing a major in Military Science. Dominic’s favorite CCS classes so far have been HUM 130 Introduction to Southwest Humanities and REL 221 Christianity. He writes “I chose this major because I feel that religion is the most inspiration and influential force in our lives. I want to become an Army Chaplain and I thought this major would be an excellent trail for understanding religions more.”

Ronald Finley, Junior Book Prize for Humanities

Ronald Finley is pursuing the CCS Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies-Humanities 90-30 and has been awarded the Junior Book Prize for Humanities. Originally from Waukegan in Illinois, he returned to college after thirty-eight years to complete his degree and pursue a career as a college professor in the future. A father of four boys and one girl, four of whom are currently in college as well, Ronald writes ” My mission is to engage in academic excellence to accomplish finishing what I started in 1982. In attaining my Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities, my master’s degree in humanities or sociology, and finally graduating with my Ph.D. in related fields of study. Thus demonstrating to myself and my children that it is never too late to redefine whom you are personally and professionally while inspiring your children to achieve their dreams.” Ronald has enjoyed all of his classes so far, including CINE 383 Cinema of Spain, HUM 345 Critical Writing in Global Humanities, and HUM 371 Humanistic Values in a Technological Society. He writes “I chose my major because I have found that I enjoy learning about subject matter related to the Arts, Humanities, Sociology, and Religion. I have also identified through my Retail and life experiences that I value and enjoy helping others and serving people. These values and actions give me a sense of accomplishment, integrity, freedom, variety, and creativity, while continually learning and sharing what I have learned with others.”

Reina Jasper, Kellogg Duncan Scholarship

CCS major (emphasis Public Humanities) Reina Jasper has been awarded the Kellogg Duncan scholarship. A Flagstaff native, Reina is also pursuing minors in Civic Engagement and Arts & Cultural Management. She writes “I chose to pursue this set of degrees as I’m extremely passionate about the importance of cultural awareness and interaction as well as the ways in which the arts foster this. I plan to commit my life to creating community, understanding, and compassion between a wide array of groups.”

Ramona Mejia, Junior Book Prize for Cinema Studies

Aspiring filmmaker and Creative Media & Film major (emphasis in Film) Ramona Mejia has been awarded the Junior Book Prize for Cinema Studies. Born and raised in Tucson, Ramona will graduate in May 2021 and is pursuing minors in both Anthropology and Cinema Studies. Ramona writes “I chose my major because I knew it would open many doors to a more productive, visionary, and happier future working towards my dreams/aspirations. It would be an honor to inspire others through my film work as I have been inspired and molded throughout the years. So far on my journey towards graduating, I have had the privilege of taking many Cinema classes but the one that has impacted me the most would have to be Professor David Gray’s CINE 380 Topics of Modern Cinema class on Essay Films and Autobiographies.”

Dakota Nelson, Junior Book Prize for Arts & Cultural Management

Dakota Nelson has been awarded the Junior Book Prize for Arts & Cultural Management and is pursuing a major in Strategic Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Arts and Cultural Management. Original from Colorado, Dakota resides in Flagstaff and will begin a new position as the Communications Assistant for the College of Arts and Letters at NAU this summer. Dakota’s favorite CCS class so far has been ACM 350 Arts and Cultural Policy with Dr. Stephanie Stallings and writes “I chose Arts and Cultural Management as my minor because it connects me to new parts of the community and has so many different aspects to it.” During the fall semester, Dakota plan on conducting research into how gentrification affects culture and art expression in low-income neighborhoods.

Shea O’Neill, John Acker Foundation Scholarship and Junior Book Prize for Art History

CCS major (emphasis Art History) Shea O’Neill has been awarded both the Junior Book Prize for Art History and the John Acker Foundation scholarship. Originally from Tempe, Arizona, Shea discovered art history in her high school humanities class and her favorite course at NAU so far was ARH 335 The Politics of Images with Dr. George Speer. She writes “Politics and art have been significant parts of my whole life and learning about how politics have a profound effect on the art produced is a great integration of both.” Shea will begin work at the NAU Art Museum this summer and plans on pursuing a graduate degree in art history at Arizona State University after graduating in 2021 from NAU.

Abigail Paternina, John Acker Foundation Scholarship and Junior Book Prize for Museum Studies

CCS major (emphasis Art History) Abigail Paternina has been awarded both the Junior Book Prize for Museum Studies and the John Acker Foundation scholarship. Originally from New Jersey, she moved to Arizona at a young age. Abigail is also pursuing minors in Museum Studies and Anthropology. Her favorite class so far has been HUM 395 Public Humanities in the Digital Age with Dr. Pratt, as it is “a class unlike any I’ve taken before and has given me the opportunity to create a digital exhibit on a topic I am interested in, and hope to continue working on through my senior year.” Abigail looks forward to moving to New York after graduation to pursue a career in museums while continuing to write and explore her passion for photography.

Megan Yurk, Atkin Family Scholarship and Lakeview United Methodist Scholarship

CCS major (emphasis Asian Studies, minors in Art History and Comparative Study of Religions) Megan Yurk has been awarded two departmental scholarships, the Atkins Family Scholarship and the Lakeview United Methodist Scholarship, and the Junior Book Prize for the Comparative Study of Religions and Asian Studies. Megan is from Anthem, Arizona and will graduate in December 2020. Megan writes that ” I chose my major because I felt my middle school and high school education completely ignored another half of the world, I am very glad I chose this major because I’ve not only filled out my education but also discovered so much about what I wish to pursue.” Her favorite class so far in CCS has been Dr. Dunja Jelesijevic’s REL 395 Indigenous Religions of East Asia.