The Rev. John G. Rechtien, S.M. Memorial Scholarship Fund

To provide scholarships for undergraduate students majoring in English Literature or English Arts at St. Mary’s University as long as the literature component is retained in the English Arts program, but excluding SE or CM or other non-humanities based programs or majors that may be sponsored in what is now labeled the Department of English and Communication Studies. The earnings alone shall be limited to defray the expense of required books and any remaining amount to be applied to tuition. The following criteria apply: 1.) The students shall have a minimum 60 semester hours completed and a cumulative GPA of 3.0. 2.) Students must demonstrate financial need as verified by the Office of Financial Assistance. 3.) Students must indicate genuine interest in their studies by providing a letter of application that addresses the place of literature in their lives and accompanying letter from two literature teachers. 4.) The selection committee should consist of three tenure-track teachers of junior and senior literature courses proposed by the department chair and ratified by the tenure-track literature teachers meeting as a committee. The selection committee’s decisions must be approved by the department chair. If a conflict arises, the committee of tenure-track teachers of English literature must resolve the issue. 5.) During each fall semester, the committee must report disbursements to the entire department. 6.) The scholarship for one semester should be limited to the equivalent of $500. If the cost of books increase, the committee of literature teachers must agree on a new figure. 7.) Previous recipients will be given preference in semester awarding of the scholarships provided that the recipients have maintained good academic standing, and have continued to demonstrate the qualities which originally qualified them for the award.