Office of Admission

Special Interest Awards

Wittenberg recognizes individual talents, experiences and passions through special interest scholarships in chemistry, community engagement, entrepreneurship, environmental science and leadership.

Wittenberg StudentsThese scholarships require a separate application. All special interest scholarships are competitive, and require you to submit application materials. All applications and supporting materials must be submitted by January 15, 2025, to be considered.

  • Students must be admitted to Wittenberg University prior to applying for a Special Interest Award.
  • Special Interest Awards require separate applications.
  • In addition to a Wittenberg Merit Scholarship, students may receive either one Special Interest Award.
  • All scholarships and awards are renewable for up to four years (or eight semesters) providing the student remains in good academic standing and meets any specified award-specific renewal criteria.

The Department of Art offers scholarships to incoming students who display exceptional artistic talent and promise. These Fine Arts Scholarships are renewable annually to students who maintain at least an art minor and maintain good academic and social standing. Submission of a portfolio is required.

Criteria: The Department of Art offers scholarships to incoming students who display exceptional artistic talent and promise. These scholarships are renewable annually to students who maintain at least an art minor and maintain good academic and social standing.

Amount: $2,000 per year for a total of $8,000 over four years.

Guidelines: To be considered for an art scholarship, students must submit a portfolio of up to 20 recent works in a PowerPoint presentation format. For every digital image, clearly mark your name, the media used, the overall size of the piece, and the year it was created. Portfolios can include a breadth of media or focus within a specific media area.

Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2025

Eligibility: Students may receive one Special Interest Award. Interested students must apply separately to be considered for any Special Interest Award. Students may apply for multiple Special Interest Awards but may only receive one. All awards will be renewed for up to four years if the student maintains good academic standing and meets award-specific renewal criteria.

Students must be admitted to Wittenberg prior to submitting a Special Interest Award application. When clicking the link below to apply for this award, please log in using your Wittenberg Admission Portal username and password.

If you have questions or concerns, contact the Office of Admission at admission@mblayst.com or 877-206-0332.

Apply Now

This competitive award recognizes students who are committed to developing themselves as leaders in Business, Entrepreneurship or Economic careers. Recipients will participate in robust professional programming and gain a deep appreciation of the relationship between the economy and society. The program positions participants to solve problems both within and outside of the for-profit world.

Criteria: Awards are selective and based on demonstration of excellent academic achievement, proven intellectual curiosity, evidence of leadership potential and an interest in a career in business or economics. Among the criteria used to select recipients are your essay, resume, high school class rank and GPA. Entering first year Business, Entrepreneurship & Economics Leaders are ensured a seat in a business or economics first year seminar, as well as an academic advisor in the Business, Entrepreneurship & Economics Department in the first year.

Amount: $2,000 per year for a total of $8,000 over four years.

Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2025

Guidelines: Students must provide a resume showing intellectual curiosity and leadership potential. Students must also write a personal essay (500-700 words) describing why they are interested in studying Business or Economics. The essay should demonstrate motivation and personal characteristics that will enable success in the program.

Expectations: In order to renew the scholarship students must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and do the following:

  • Freshman Year: Participate in the Business & Economics Lecture Series (3-6 speakers from a variety of industries per year). During the spring of their first year, recipients will help plan and promote the following year’s speaker series.
  • Sophomore Year: By the end of the fall of their sophomore year, recipients must complete ACCT 225, BUSN 210/DATA 227, ECON 200 with at least a 3.0 in each class. In the spring of the sophomore year, recipients will participate in a travel learning experience or participate in independent research with a faculty mentor.
  • Junior Year: Recipients must participate in the alumni Mentorship Program.
  • Senior Year: Recipients must participate in mentoring First Year Leaders.

Eligibility: Students may receive one Special Interest Award. Interested students must apply separately to be considered for any Special Interest Award. Students may apply for multiple Special Interest Awards, but may only receive one. All awards will be renewed for up to four years if the student maintains good academic standing and meets award-specific renewal criteria.

Students must be admitted to Wittenberg prior to submitting a Special Interest Award application. When clicking the link below to apply for this award, please log in using your Wittenberg Admission Portal username and password.

If you have questions or concerns, contact the Office of Admission at admission@mblayst.com or 877-206-0332.

Related Links:

Apply Now

The Franta Chemistry Special Interest Award will give you the opportunity to complement your coursework with work study, research, co-curricular activities, or extra-curricular involvement.

Criteria: The Franta Chemistry Special Interest Award is awarded to students who demonstrate an interest in studying chemistry.

Amount: This award ranges from $2,000 up to $15,000 per year, and may be awarded in addition to a merit scholarship.

Guidelines: Please provide a personal essay describing why you are interested in studying Chemistry at Wittenberg.

Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2025

Expectations: To renew this scholarship, recipients must maintain a cumulative and Chemistry GPA of 3.0 or above. Franta Chemistry Scholars also must maintain satisfactory academic progress in Chemistry courses by completing at least CHEM 162 by the beginning of the second year, at least three chemistry courses by the beginning of the third year, and at least five chemistry courses by the beginning of the fourth year. Recipients will be given priority for the summer research and conference travel support that is available to all Chemistry and Biochemistry/Molecular Biology students and will have the opportunity to participate in academic, co-curricular, or extra-curricular activities related to chemistry. Opportunities for involvement may include assisting faculty in scholarly research, potentially through work study; organizing or aiding campus activities that promote the program; hosting visiting scholars, speakers, or prospective students; providing leadership in student organizations; participating on relevant faculty committees; and engaging in community outreach activities.

Eligibility: Students may receive one Special Interest Award. Interested students must apply separately to be considered for any Special Interest Award. Students may apply for multiple Special Interest Awards but may only receive one. All awards will be renewed for up to four years if the student maintains good academic standing and meets award-specific renewal criteria.

Students must be admitted to Wittenberg prior to submitting a Special Interest Award application. When clicking the link below to apply for this award, please log in using your Wittenberg Admission Portal username and password.

If you have questions or concerns, contact the Office of Admission at admission@mblayst.com or 877-206-0332.

Related Links:

Apply Now

Wittenberg's mission challenges us to become responsible global citizens. The Environmental Science Program provides academic opportunities to engage in our mission as you pursue a degree in environmental science. The Special Interest Award in Environmental Science will give you the opportunity to complement your coursework with work study, research, co-curricular activities, or extra-curricular involvement.

Criteria: The Special Interest Award in Environmental Science is awarded to students who exhibit outstanding academic achievement and desire to pursue a major or minor in environmental science.

Amount: $2,000 per year for a total of $8,000 over four years.

Guidelines: Please provide a personal essay about your interest in environmental science.

Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2025

Expectations: To renew this scholarship for the duration of your four years on campus, you must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Environmental Scholars are required to major or minor in environmental science or environmental studies, and will have the opportunity to participate in academic, co-curricular, or extra-curricular activities related to the environment, and to help promote the Environmental Science Program.  Opportunities for involvement may include assisting faculty in laboratory or field research, potentially through work study, organizing or aiding campus activities that promote the program, host visiting scholars, speakers, or prospective students, providing leadership in student organizations, participating on relevant faculty committees, and engaging in community outreach activities.

Eligibility: Students may receive one Special Interest Award. Interested students must apply separately to be considered for any Special Interest Award. Students may apply for multiple Special Interest Awards, but may only receive one. All awards will be renewed for up to four years if the student maintains good academic standing and meets award-specific renewal criteria.

Students must be admitted to Wittenberg prior to submitting a Special Interest Award application. When clicking the link below to apply for this award, please log in using your Wittenberg Admission Portal username and password.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Office of Admission at admission@mblayst.com or 877-206-0332.

Apply Now

Criteria: The William A. McClain Center for Diversity offers this award to exceptional and talented students who have been traditionally underrepresented or marginalized on college campuses, and who are culturally, ethnically, and racially diverse. For consideration, students must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0.

Amount: $2,000 per year for a total of $8,000 over four years.

Guidelines: For consideration, students must:

  • Write an essay reflecting on their lived experiences and how those experiences have influenced their view(s) on diversity and inclusion.
  • If selected, participate in a phone interview with the Director of the William A. McClain Center for Diversity.

Candidates should exhibit strong academic skills, an interest in creating positive change through leadership and advocacy, and a sustained commitment to diversity and inclusion at Wittenberg University.

Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2025

Expectations: To renew this scholarship, students will be required to complete all activities outlined in the William A. McClain Award for Multicultural Leadership contract, including participation in the extended orientation program, WITT Connected, along with assisting with various multicultural student recruitment initiatives.

Students must be admitted to Wittenberg prior to submitting a Special Interest Award application. When clicking the link below to apply for this award, please log in using your Wittenberg Admission Portal username and password.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Office of Admission at admission@mblayst.com or 877-206-0332.

Related Links:

Apply Now

This competitive award recognizes students who are interested in participating in competitive Esports at Wittenberg University.  We are excited to be joining a new era of student engagement with competitive gaming as a part of our campus life. Wittenberg students will have the opportunity to compete in a number of esports titles while earning a top liberal arts degree in one of more than 70 different academic fields.

Criteria: Wittenberg is currently recruiting students to compete at the varsity level while building a state-of-the art arena on the main level of its Benham-Pence Student Center. Additionally, the program is recruiting shoutcasters, who will be able to help stream competitions to the Wittenberg community and beyond.  In order to be considered for this award, students should submit their Player Profile.

Amount: $2,000 per year for a total of $8,000 over four years.

Scholarship Deadline: Students should submit their Player Profile by no later than January 15, 2025.

Expectations: In order to renew the scholarship students must continue involvement in esports throughout their academic career at Wittenberg.

Eligibility: Students may receive one Special Interest Award. Interested students must apply separately to be considered for any Special Interest Award. Students may apply for multiple Special Interest Awards, but may only receive one. All awards will be renewed for up to four years if the student maintains good academic standing and meets award-specific renewal criteria.  Students must be admitted to Wittenberg prior to submitting a Special Interest Award application.

If you have questions or concerns, contact the Office of Admission at admission@mblayst.com or 877-206-0332.

Related Links:

Apply Now

The Department of Theatre offers scholarships to incoming students who display exceptional artistic talent and promise.

Criteria: We offer scholarships to incoming students who display exceptional talent and promise in theatre or dance. The Fine Arts Scholarship is renewable annually to students who actively participate in departmental programs and classes, regardless of major or minor. An audition and interview is required. These may be done on-campus or via video.

Amount: $2,000 per year for a total of $8,000 over four years.

Guidelines: Students wishing to apply for a Fine Arts Scholarship in Theatre should submit the audition interest form linked below. With questions, contact Darin Keesing, Department Chair, at keesingd@mblayst.com. Students must be admitted to Wittenberg prior to completing an audition.

  • Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2025

Eligibility: Students may receive one Special Interest Award. Interested students must apply separately to be considered for any Special Interest Award. Students may apply for multiple Special Interest Awards but may only receive one. All awards will be renewed for up to four years if the student maintains good academic standing and meets award-specific renewal criteria.

Expectations: Applicants are to submit before or on the day of the audition/interview the following: a resume detailing their theatre experience and education; a headshot/photo (performers only); a letter of reference from a director, choreographer, or performing arts instructor who knows your work well; and a letter of intent in which the student discusses how participating in theatre and/or dance at Wittenberg will help them achieve their academic, vocational, or personal goals. Materials may be mailed or emailed directly to:

Darin Keesing (keesingd@mblayst.com)
Dept. of Theatre
Wittenberg University
P.O. Box 720
Springfield, OH 45501

Contact Information: For questions about the Department of Theatre, please contact the Theatre Department Chair Darin Keesing at keesingd@mblayst.com. For general questions, please contact the Office of Admission at 877-206-0332 or admission@mblayst.com.

Students must be admitted to Wittenberg prior to submitting a Special Interest Award application. When clicking the link below to apply for this award, please log in using your Wittenberg Admission Portal username and password.

If you have questions or concerns, contact the Office of Admission at admission@mblayst.com or 877-206-0332.

Apply Now

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