The Helen S. Blair Memorial Scholarship Fund assists students aspiring to a degree in the Finnish language, Finnish culture, and/or Finnish studies. The application deadline is April 1, 2013. Copies of the application can be obtained in the Department of Scandinavian Studies main office.
This fund memorializes Helen S. Blair (1915-1999), beloved wife of Lawrence R. Blair, and mother of Jack R. Blair, James L. Blair, Jeffrey A. Blair, and Jane M. (Blair) Garman.
Helen Blair was a first generation American. Her parents emigrated to the United States from Finland in the early 1900's. As a child, Helen learned to read and write the Finnish language at home before mastering English at school. Helen led a full, rich life, enjoying her marriage, her children, her grandchildren, and her many friends. She was a tireless correspondent who kept in touch with her relatives in Finland, despite having never met most of them. Her pride in her Finnish heritage remained undiminished throughout her life, which is the principal reason her family has established this scholarship fund in her memory.
Applicants for the Helen S. Blair Memorial Scholarship Fund must:
- Be enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited U.S. college or university or graduate level program;
- Have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale for college/university applicants; A minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for high school graduate applicants;
- Aspire to a degree which includes a minimum of 12 semester hours in the Finnish language, Finnish culture and/or Finnish studies. Applicants may also be submitted for accredited study abroad assistance programs;
- Submit the accompanying application form with attachments.
While applicants need not demonstrate economic need in order to apply for the scholarship, priority may be given to applicants who document financial need.
Amount of Awards in 2006: $4000 total
Amount of Awards in 2007: $4000 total
Amount of Awards in 2008: $2000 total
Range of all Awards: $2000