2010 STEPHEN C. O'CONNELL LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS
The Capital Area Gator Club is once again honored to announce the availability of the Stephen C. O'Connell Leadership Scholarships. Scholarships beginning at $1,000 are available for high school seniors who have exhibited exemplary leadership skills and who are residents of the Capital Area Gator Club's service area.
CRITERIA
- 1. Must be a high school senior accepted for admission to the University of Florida, entering the University of Florida as a freshman in the summer or fall of 2010. Current UF students, transfer students and graduate students are not eligible.
- 2. Must be a resident of the Capital Area Gator Club's service area: Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty or Wakulla Counties.
- 3. Must have demonstrated personal qualities indicating he or she is likely to become a contributing citizen, including a reputation of good character, honesty, leadership, interest in public service, and concern for the welfare of others.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The enclosed application must be completed and submitted with all of the attachments in the following order:
- (1) application form,
- (2) attachments, if needed, to answer questions from the application form,
- (3) a one-page personal essay that describes your leadership accomplishments and how you have exhibited concern for the welfare of others,
- (4) two letters of recommendation, one-page each, attesting specifically to your leadership qualities and concern for the welfare of others (these letters must be sent with the application) and
- (5) your most recent transcript (break seal of your school's envelope and copy, if necessary).
The original and four copies (5 total) of the application and attachments must be typed, stapled in the upper left hand corner, and submitted in the order described above, to the Capital Area Gator Club at the above address, or you may call Nancy Friedman at (850) 567-2761 to make other arrangements for delivery.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED. POSTMARKED, BY FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2010.
Individuals not meeting the preceding criteria or application requirements will not be considered. Applicants must be available for interviews, if requested. Interviews will be held in Tallahassee on April 8 and 9, 2010.
Recipients will be awarded the scholarships through the University of Florida Financial Aid Office once enrolled and attending classes at the University.
WHO WAS STEPHEN C. O'CONNELL?
The Honorable Stephen C. O'Connell was a cattle rancher and land developer in Leon County. He was a retired Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court (1955-67) and President Emeritus of UF, where he served as University President from 1967-1973. Following retirement from UF, he was Chairman and CEO of Lewis State Bank and later practiced law. As a student at UF, he was President of Florida Blue Key, President of the ATO Fraternity and captain of the boxing team. In 1966-67, he served as President of the Alumni Association. Justice O'Connell was Honorary Co-Chairman of the College of Law Major Gifts Committee during UF's Embrace Excellence Campaign. He was a member of the UF President's Council and received an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from UF. He graduated from UF with a BSBA in 1940 and an LLB, also in 1940.
The Capital Area Gator Club's "Stephen C. O'Connell Leadership Scholarship" program was established in his honor.
