Denver, Colorado – Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) has established the Laura McCall Endowed Scholarship, a fund designed to support students pursuing studies in History or Gender, Women and Sexualities Studies. The scholarship, announced earlier this month, aims to honor the legacy of Laura McCall, a long-serving faculty member and, according to the university, a deeply valued member of the academic community and her family.
The establishment of the scholarship comes at a time of increasing academic focus on both historical studies and the evolving field of gender studies. For decades, women’s history has been a dynamic area of research, and more recently, the study of masculinity has gained prominence. This scholarship reflects a broader trend in historical inquiry, moving beyond traditional, segregated approaches to gender roles and advocating for a more integrated understanding of the shared experiences of men and women, as highlighted in scholarship like Laura McCall’s own work, A Shared Experience: Men, Women, and the History of Gender, published in 1998.
The fund’s purpose, as stated by MSU Denver, is to create opportunity through education, and to the power of understanding history and the contributions of women to changing the course of history.
Eligibility criteria for the scholarship are multifaceted. Applicants must meet the University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and not be in default on any federal, state, or institutional aid. A declared major in either the History Department or Gender, Women and Sexualities Studies is required, as is demonstrated financial need, assessed through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA). The scholarship is open to both full-time and part-time students who have reached Junior or Senior status at MSU Denver.
The scholarship is renewable for up to two years, contingent on the availability of funds. This provision offers students a degree of financial stability, allowing them to focus on their studies without the immediate pressure of funding concerns. The scholarship will be automatically awarded based on the completed General Application, streamlining the process for eligible students.
Laura McCall is currently a Professor of History at Metropolitan State College of Denver. Her ongoing research focuses on the intersection of gender and literature in 19th-century America, specifically a study entitled Symmetrical Minds: Literary Men and Women in Antebellum America
. Her academic work underscores the importance of examining the interplay between male and female experiences, a principle directly reflected in the goals of the newly established scholarship.
The creation of the Laura McCall Endowed Scholarship also arrives within a broader cultural context of increased attention to issues of gender and sexuality. Recent academic work, such as research into the cultural significance of the American cowboy and its connection to queer sexuality, demonstrates a growing willingness to explore previously marginalized narratives and challenge conventional understandings of identity. This scholarship, while focused on supporting academic pursuits in History and Gender Studies, contributes to this wider conversation.
The scholarship’s focus on both History and Gender, Women and Sexualities Studies is significant. History provides the crucial context for understanding the evolution of gender roles and societal norms, while Gender Studies offers the theoretical frameworks for analyzing power dynamics and challenging inequalities. By supporting students in both disciplines, the scholarship aims to foster a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the complexities of gender and its impact on society.
The deadline for applications is . Students interested in applying are encouraged to complete the General Application through the MSU Denver financial aid portal. The establishment of this scholarship represents a significant investment in the future of historical and gender studies, and a lasting tribute to the dedication of Laura McCall to education and the pursuit of knowledge.
