College of Fine Arts Fellowships

College-wide fellowships are intended to provide recognition and financial support to outstanding students in the College of Fine Arts.

A committee of faculty members in each department or school selects students. The selection process is based on the merit of the student’s talent and work, and therefore applications for specific scholarship awards are not accepted. Auditions or portfolio reviews may be required.

Fellowships

Department of Art & Art History

Fredricka Crain Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Art
This scholarship was established in 1993 by Dr. E. Lilo Crain Jr. in honor of his wife’s lifelong commitment to education and the arts. Graduate or undergraduate students in visual arts who demonstrate academic excellence, promise and talent are eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Dallas Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Art
The Dallas-area members of the College of Fine Arts Advisory Council established this scholarship for Dallas-area residents who are graduate or upper-level undergraduate (junior or senior) students majoring in a Department of Art & Art History field of study. Preference is given to Studio Art majors.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Kelly Fearing Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Art
For graduate or undergraduate students majoring in a Department of Art & Art History field of study.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Irving and Jeannette Goodfriend Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Art
Irving and Jeannette Goodfriend established this scholarship in recognition of the richness and enjoyment the arts have brought to their lives. The scholarship will be used to attract exceptionally talented art students to the university, with preference given first to an undergraduate and then a graduate student in sculpture. Should no qualified sculpture student be identified in a given year, the scholarship may be awarded to a student majoring in Studio Art. The recipient must have demonstrated academic excellence, promise, talent and financial need. Recipients will exemplify the high standards and ideals of the honorees.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Dr. Ralph and Marie B. Hanna Centennial Endowed Scholarship in Art
For incoming graduate students majoring in a Department of Art & Art History field of study. Recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and may continue to hold this award in successive years.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $8,000
- Application Deadline: N/A
Isabell Smith Herztstein Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Art
This scholarship was established in 1994 with a gift from Mr. Max Herzstein, and represents Mr. and Mrs. Herzstein’s lifelong commitment to education and the arts. Both are members of the Chancellor’s Council and have been members of many civic organizations, including the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the Houston Zoological Society. Graduate or undergraduate students majoring in a Department of Art & Art History field of study who demonstrate academic excellence, promise and talent are eligible. The recipient must exemplify the high standards and ideals of the donors.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,000
- Application Deadline: N/A
Helen Milam Hughes Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Art
This scholarship was established in 1995 in memory of Helen Milam Hughes, in recognition of her lifelong commitment to the university, education and the arts. This award is for the benefit and development of visual arts students. The scholarship may be awarded to either an undergraduate or graduate student in visual arts. The recipient must have demonstrated academic excellence, promise and talent.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Marian Royal Kazen Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Art
This scholarship was established in 1985 as a result of a gift from Dr. Nasser I. Al-Rashid of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in memory of Marian Royal Kazen. The late Mrs. Kazen was the daughter of Darrell K. Royal, Special Assistant to the President for Athletic Programs and former head football coach and athletic director at the university. Mrs. Kazen, who was especially interested in ceramics, graduated from the university in 1967 with a B.F.A. in studio art. Any incoming or continuing graduate or undergraduate student majoring in a Department of Art & Art History field of study is eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Emily Maverick Miller and Emily Miller Wells Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Art
This scholarship was established in 1989 with gifts from Mrs. Mary Miller Bartholow and funds from an anonymous donor to honor the memory of Mrs. Bartholow’s mother, Emily Maverick Miller, and to honor her sister, Emily Miller Wells. Miller received her B.A. in Spanish from the university in 1907, and Wells received her B.F.A. in studio art from the university in 1942. Both honorees have demonstrated an abiding interest in and commitment to art, music, dance, theatre and literature. Any incoming graduate student majoring in a Department of Art & Art History field of study who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident is eligible. Recipient may continue to hold this award in successive years.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $6,000
- Application Deadline: N/A
David Price Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Art
This scholarship was established in memory of David S. Price, coordinator of University Publications from 1969 until his death in July 1991. Price’s career with the university began upon his graduation in 1959. He was an outstanding artist, a dedicated employee and a caring friend. Graduate or upper-division undergraduate studio art (painting) majors who demonstrate promise and talent as well as financial need are eligible. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and preference is given to residents of Texas.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A

Butler School of Music

Betty Osborn Biedenharn Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Music
This scholarship was established in 1993 by Betty Osborn Biedenharn because of her profound love of music and lifelong commitment to the piano. Biedenharn, an honorary member of the College of Fine Arts Advisory Council, received her Bachelor of Music from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in Music from Trinity University in San Antonio. Graduate or undergraduate music majors are eligible. Preference is given to an outstanding student majoring in piano, but the scholarship may be awarded to any other exceptional music student selected by the scholarship committee, which will look for demonstration of talent, promise and academic excellence. The recipient may continue to hold this award in successive years with maintenance of satisfactory academic performance.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Dr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Butler Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Opera
This scholarship was established in the spring of 1989 with a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Butler. The donors have demonstrated an abiding interest in and commitment to all the arts, particularly opera. Any incoming graduate opera major who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident is eligible. The recipient may continue to hold this award in successive years.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Barbara Smith Conrad Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Fine Arts
This scholarship was established in 1993 with gifts from Ray D. Woods and funds from various other donors in honor of Conrad, who received her B.M. from the university in 1959 and was named a distinguished alumnus in 1985. She has had an illustrious career as a mezzo-soprano for the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and also has been a featured performer with the London Symphony, Vienna State Opera, Brussels Opera, Cologne Opera and other renowned orchestras and opera companies. She continues to support the university as an honorary member of the College of Fine Arts Advisory Council. Any graduate or undergraduate voice major who demonstrates talent and promise in rigorous auditions adjudicated by appropriate faculty members of the Butler School of Music is eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Mary Frances Bowles Couper Endowed Presidential Scholarship for Graduate Students in Piano Performance
Fred Thomson Couper Jr. and his wife, Mary Frances Bowles Couper, for the benefit of students studying piano, established this scholarship. Mrs. Couper was a pianist and this scholarship, given in her name, is devoted to furthering excellence in piano performance. Both Coupers attended the university in the 1930s. Mrs. Couper studied history, while Mr. Couper received his degree in law. Mrs. Couper has been a longtime member of the College of Fine Arts Advisory Council, and both Mr. and Mrs. Couper are devoted supporters of the university. Any continuing or incoming graduate piano major is eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $3,000
- Application Deadline: N/A
Patsy Cater Deaton Endowed Presidential Scholarship
Her mother, Mrs. Elva Cater, established this scholarship in 1992 in memory of Patsy Cater Deaton, a 1952 graduate with a B.M. in Music Theory and Composition. Any new or continuing graduate or undergraduate music major is eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
E.W. Doty Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Music
This scholarship was established in 1993 with a gift from the I.D. and Marguerite Fairchild Foundation. The late Professor Emeritus E. William Doty was the first dean of the College of Fine Arts and held that position from 1938-72. Doty also served as chairman of the Department of Music for many years. Any graduate or undergraduate music major is eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $3,000
- Application Deadline: N/A
Marguerite Fairchild Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Music
This scholarship was established in 1992 with a gift from the I.D. Marguerite Fairchild Foundation in memory of Mrs. Marguerite Fairchild for the benefit of orchestral students in the Department of Music. As an arts advocate and the first woman regent at the university, the late Fairchild played a pivotal role in the establishment of the College of Fine Arts and the hiring of its first dean. Any graduate or undergraduate orchestral instrument major is eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Thomas J. Gibson IV Endowed Presidential Scholarship
This scholarship was established by a gift from Mrs. Margaret Gibson in memory of her son, Thomas J. Gibson IV. He studied violin at the university and received a Bachelor of Music degree in 1971. Any graduate or undergraduate violin major is eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Annie Barnhart Giles Centennial Endowed Presidential Scholarship
Family members and friends of the late Austinite Miss Annie Barnhart Giles established this scholarship in 1983. Giles loved music, playing the piano and teaching piano on an informal basis. In the early 1960s, she collaborated with Mary Lasswell in the publication of her father’s memoirs of the Civil War, entitled “Rags and Hope.” Any graduate or undergraduate music major is eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Verna M. Harder Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Music
This scholarship was established in 1994 with gifts from Dr. Lorene L. Rogers and the Texaco Foundation. Verna M. Harder, who taught piano, was a member of the Music Department faculty from 1946-77. Any graduate or undergraduate music major who demonstrates talent and promise through rigorous auditions is eligible, although piano students are preferred. The recipient should hold this scholarship for successive years.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Jesse H. Jones and Mary Gibbs Jones Endowed Presidential Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1988 with a gift from the Houston Endowment Inc. and is named in honor of the late Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones. Mr. Jones, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, established the Houston Endowment Inc., a philanthropic foundation. Any incoming graduate music major who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident is eligible. The recipient may continue to hold this award in successive years.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Georgia B. Lucas Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Music
Because of her profound love for music and her lifelong commitment to the arts, Georgia Lucas established this scholarship in 1993 for the benefit and development of promising music students. Lucas attended The University of Texas at Austin and is a poet and author. Any undergraduate or graduate student in music with demonstrated talent, promise and academic excellence is eligible. Preference is given to an opera or orchestra student. If all other considerations are equal, financial need may be a decisive factor in awarding this scholarship.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
J. W. “Red” McCullough Jr. Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Jazz Studies
Any outstanding graduate or undergraduate students in the College of Fine Arts majoring in Jazz Studies are eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
David Renner Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Piano
This scholarship was established in 1993 with gifts from Dr. Lorene L. Rogers and the Texaco Foundation. David Renner has been a member of the piano faculty since 1974. Any graduate or undergraduate piano major who demonstrates talent and promise through rigorous auditions is eligible. Financial need is taken into consideration when evaluating otherwise equal candidates.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Leticia Flores Penn Endowed Presidential Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1995 by John Penn in memory of his beloved wife, Leticia Flores Penn, a noted concert pianist and dedicated teacher, for the benefit and development of piano performance and pedagogy students. Undergraduate and graduate piano performance and pedagogy students are eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Lucille Roan-Gray Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Music
This scholarship was established by Mrs. Lucille Roan-Gray to allow the most gifted and promising students to pursue and complete their music studies. The scholarship is to be awarded only to upper-level or graduate music students who have demonstrated talent and promise as determined by appropriate music faculty members and the student awards committee within the Butler School of Music. Preference is given to orchestra and string students. The scholarship may be renewable contingent upon a student’s continued enrollment in the School of Music and maintenance of satisfactory academic performance.
Mary A. Seller-Yantis Endowed Presidential Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1993 with a gift from Lillian M. Seller in memory of her mother. Lillian Seller is the former Director of Public Programs at the university, a former staff member of the Department of Music, and a former member of the Chancellor’s Council. Her mother, Mary Seller-Yantis, was a devoted employee of the state of Texas for nearly 50 years. Any graduate or undergraduate major in music is eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Robert Jeffrey Womack Endowed Presidential Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1993 with a gift from J.F. and Marienne Womack in memory of their son. Robert Womack was a 1975 graduate in music, and was an accomplished composer and performer. Any graduate or undergraduate music composition major, selected by music competition, is eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Sidney M. Wright Endowed Presidential Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Irwin Wright established this scholarship in memory of their son, who received both a baccalaureate and master’s degree in applied piano at the university and was a specialist in both opera and church music. He was a great inspiration to all who knew him, both for his musical gifts and for his spirit and courage. Any graduate or undergraduate incoming or continuing piano major is eligible. The recipient is to be determined by a piano accompanying competition.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $3,000
- Application Deadline: N/A

Department of Theatre and Dance

Leon Danielian Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Dance
This scholarship was established in 1992 with gifts from Mrs. Louisa Stude Sarofim, Dr. W.H. “Deacon” Crain and various other donors in honor of Leon Danielian in consideration of his significant contributions to the Department of Theatre and Dance. Danielian was a premier danseur, a former director of the American Ballet Theatre and a renowned master teacher. Danielian, the Susan Menefee Ragan Regents Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts, has been honored with a dance studio in his name by the College of Fine Arts in the F. Loren Winship Drama Building. Any graduate or undergraduate dance major who demonstrates exceptional talent is eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
W. H. “Deacon” Crain Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Theatre
W.H. “Deacon” Crain, for the benefit and development of theatre arts students, established this scholarship in 1994. A native of Victoria, Texas, Crain holds five degrees from the university, including an M.F.A. in Drama. He was the first doctoral candidate at the university to earn a Ph.D. in playwriting. He has written several plays, some of which have been produced by the Department of Theatre and Dance. In 1994, he retired from the position as curator with the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center’s Hoblitzelle Theatre Arts Library. He has also been involved with Waterloo Press, the Paramount Theatre, Laguna Gloria Art Museum and the Austin Civic Theatre, and has been honored by the Austin Circle of Theatres, the Austin Civic Orchestra and the Austin Shakespeare Festival Company. Any graduate student studying playwriting is eligible. If no qualified playwriting student is identified, the scholarship may be awarded to graduate or undergraduate majoring in other areas of theatre arts. The recipient should demonstrate academic excellence, promise, talent and dedication to theatre. Financial need may be considered. The recipient may continue to hold this award in successive years with maintenance of satisfactory academic performance.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Ruth Denney Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Theatre
Originally established in 1989 as the “Ruth Denney Endowed Scholarship” in the Department of Theatre and Dance, this scholarship was upgraded to an Endowed Presidential Scholarship with funds raised by a special performance of “Tommy Tune Tonight!” in August 1993. Dance legend Tommy Tune is one of many accomplished artists who have benefited from Denney’s wisdom during her many years as a drama teacher at Lamar High School in Houston and the Houston High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, which she founded in 1971. Now a Professor Emeritus of Drama Education, she served as a Department of Theatre and Dance faculty member from 1976-88. The American Association of Theatre Education, Young Audience of Houston and the mayor of Houston have honored her. Any graduate or undergraduate theatre student preparing to teach high school or theatre student participating in the UT Theatre Under the Stars internship program is eligible. The recipient must demonstrate academic excellence, promise, talent and dedication to the theatre, and may continue to hold the award in successive years contingent upon continued enrollment in the college and maintenance of satisfactory academic performance.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
E. W. Doty Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Fine Arts
In memory of her husband, founding dean of the College of Fine Arts, this scholarship was established by Mrs. Elinor W. Doty to rotate among the academic units of the College of Fine Arts. Undergraduate and graduate students of exceptional merit are eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Dr. Ralph and Marie B. Hanna Centennial Endowed Scholarship in Drama
For incoming graduate majors in the Department of Theatre and Dance. The recipient may continue to hold this award in successive years.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Louis Jules Hexter Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Theatre Arts
For a graduate or undergraduate drama major who demonstrates high standards, academic excellence, unusual promise and exceptional talent. A recipient may continue to hold this award in successive years based upon good academic standing and normal progress toward a degree.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Pat Hingle Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Theatre and Dance
This scholarship was established in 1993. Hingle is a 1949 graduate of the university, receiving a B.F.A. in Radio-Television-Film and another in Drama. He has gone on to a distinguished career as an actor, appearing in numerous Broadway plays, films and television shows. Any graduate or undergraduate major in the Department of Theatre and Dance is eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Coleman A. Jennings Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Creative Drama/Theatre for Young Audiences
Friends and former students of Professor Coleman A. Jennings, for his service as a Professor of Creative Drama/Theatre for Youth from 1963 to the present, established this scholarship. Any promising graduate student interested in drama for young people is eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt Endowed Presidential Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1991 in honor of two university alumni, Mr. Thomas C. Jones and Mr. Harvey L. Schmidt, in appreciation for their special participation in the inaugural meeting of The Littlefield Society. Jones and Schmidt are nationally recognized composers, lyricists, writers, performers, directors and producers of Broadway musicals. Their production, “The Fantasticks,” is the longest running and most frequently produced show worldwide. Any graduate or undergraduate major in the Department of Theatre and Dance is eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
James W. Moll Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Drama
This scholarship was established in memory of James W. Moll, onetime UT Austin professor of acting. Moll began teaching in the Department of Theatre and Dance in 1941 and was made professor emeritus in 1979. In his 37 years at the university, he directed more than 100 productions of plays, musical comedies and operas from a broad range of American and European dramatic literature. Any outstanding student in the Department of Theatre and Dance is eligible.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A
Charles A. and Betti Friedel Saunders Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Theatre
Betti Friedel Saunders, in whose honor this scholarship was endowed, is a 1944 B.F.A. graduate of the Department of Theatre and Dance. She also holds an associate degree in drama from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri. She remains an active alumna of the College of Fine Arts, and has enjoyed a sustained involvement with theatre and community in Houston and beyond. She has served as a board member of the Alley Theatre, guild member for A.D. Players, supporter of Main Street Theatre, and past president of an area literature club. Charles Saunders holds a law degree from the university and is an attorney with Fulbright & Jaworski in Houston. Talented and deserving theatre arts students are eligible, with special consideration given to outstanding and talented theatre arts students. The scholarship is renewable upon continued enrollment in the college and satisfactory progress.
- Stipend: Minimum award of $2,500
- Application Deadline: N/A