UCF Women’s Club Enhances Graduate Excellence through Scholarships

Financial support plays a crucial role in the academic success of many students, with scholarships serving as a key resource that enables many to access higher education. Scholarships provide vital financial assistance while offering students a sense of pride and recognition for their achievements. This acknowledgment enhances their access to resources and alleviates financial stress, allowing them to focus on their studies.

The Women’s Club at UCF is committed to raising funds to support undergraduate and graduate students through scholarships. The undergraduate scholarships are named in honor of the university’s first ladies and awarded to non-traditional, full-time students who demonstrate outstanding potential. The graduate scholarships, established to honor the distinguished legacy of past member Sheila B. Somerville, are designed to recognize and support graduate-level students who have shown academic excellence.

The Sheila D. Somerville Endowment Graduate Scholarship is particularly meaningful to the Women’s Club at UCF. In honor of his late wife, Paul Somerville, a UCF College of Sciences Statistics and Data Research emeritus professor, endowed a scholarship in her name. Sheila, a proud Scot and devoted member of the Women’s Club, was actively involved in several interest groups, including the Gourmet Interest Group and the Armchair Travelers. Her untimely passing left a profound impact, and in her memory, Dr. Somerville generously seeded the scholarship endowment with $100,000. This thoughtful gift remains one of the most significant donations in the club’s history and has been instrumental in supporting graduate students.

The recipients of these scholarships are exceptional individuals who have shown resilience and perseverance in overcoming personal challenges to pursue their education. These students are considered non-traditional scholars, and according to the Women’s Club, they earn more than just financial aid. They receive renewed hope for their aspirations and the knowledge that the Women’s Club at UCF believes in them and celebrates their accomplishments.

Since 2020, the Sheila D. Somerville Endowment Graduate Scholarship has distributed a total of $57,000 among 19 graduate students.  To be eligible for the award, applicants must exhibit a strong academic record, leadership capabilities, and a commitment to their chosen field of study. Past awardees have come from various disciplines and have gone on to achieve remarkable success, made possible by the support of this scholarship.

One such recipient, Ashley Morris, a recent Public Affairs PhD graduate, made significant contributions at UCF. She won first place at the university’s prestigious Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition and has continued to conduct impactful research on the lived experiences of Black women parenting children diagnosed with mental illnesses. Similarly, Shameika Daye, a Sociology PhD graduate and another scholarship recipient, earned numerous accolades, including the UCF Alumni Fellows Scholarship and the SGA Graduate Student Achievers Scholarship.

UCF Day of Giving, taking place on April 10, presents a remarkable opportunity to support future outstanding graduate students and to make a meaningful impact on their academic journeys. The College of Graduate Studies is a key advocate for this scholarship, helping to promote the fund and ensure the continued success of scholarship recipients.

To contribute to the Sheila D. Somerville Endowment Graduate Scholarship, please visit the College of Graduate Studies Day of Giving page. Your donation can help change lives and empower the next generation of scholars.