CSU William and Janet Lahey Art Education and Visual Arts Scholarship

William Lahey served as Assistant Vice Chancellor, Faculty and Staff Affairs from October 1966 until he retired on June 1986. He came to the California State University from federal civil service to the position of Statewide Dean of Faculty. William and his wife Jan lived in Huntington Harbor. Jan was an avid volunteer with the Long Beach Art Museum and William would invite staff to join them for special receptions and exhibit openings. By supporting Summer Arts and scholarships for visual arts students, they are furthering both William’s commitment to education and Jan’s passion for the arts.

This scholarship supports the CSU Summer Arts program and scholarships for visual arts students, furthering both William’s commitment to education and Jan’s passion for the arts. One scholarship of $10,000 is available for the academic year for students, with priority going to students in a post-baccalaureate program leading to a high school single-subject teaching credential in the arts. The annual scholarship will be sufficient to cover tuition and fees and provide an additional small stipend.

Scholarship recipients must meet each of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled at Fresno State at least half-time;
• Possess a bachelor’s degree in art or in one of the visual art specializations;
• Be enrolled in one of the following programs:
  A post baccalaureate program leading to a high school single subject teaching credential in the arts;
  A Master of Fine Arts program in art or one of the visual arts specialization; or
  A Master of Arts program in art or one of the visual arts specializations.
• Be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on an 4.0 scale
• Priority consideration will be given to scholarship applications in the following order:
  First priority will be given to students enrolled in a program leading to a single subject teaching credential in the arts;
  Second priority will be given to students enrolled in a graduate program in art of one of the visual arts specializations;
  Third priority will be given to eligible students who have a record of volunteer activities in the arts or who are currently engaged in arts volunteer activities in schools or community arts organizations.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to completing the general scholarship application on this site, applicants must provide a brief personal statement answering the following questions:

1. What experience has impacted your personal growth?
2. Tell us about a time you failed. What did you learn from that experience?
3. Why are you pursuing your major? How does it relate to your career aspirations?
4. Provide an example of service beyond the classroom (i.e., have you taken on significant family obligations, helped others in a specific way, been involved in political action, worked/volunteered/interned at a particular organization, etc.). Why is this example significant to you?
5. Please share your commitment to arts education or to community arts organizations.

If selected as a final nominee, the CSU Foundation will request two letters of recommendation from faculty members who can certify the student’s enrollment in a qualifying program and intent to contribute to art education in the schools or to visual arts may be requested.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 3, 2024

Please direct all questions to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Phone Number: (559) 278-2182