Alumni and Friends
Student Impact
Many of the scholarships the School of Information offered are only possible through donations. Those donations go directly to students to help support their studies in the MLIS program.
2025-2026 Award Cycle
Blackwell Perrault Scholarship
"My name is Gloria Lopez, but I go by my middle name, Rose. I have studied for my master's in library and information science for the last year and I have been very dedicated to finishing my education. I am deeply appreciative of you all for funding this scholarship that has helped me pursue my education. I have faced struggles throughout my secondary education, most of which stem from having to split my income between medical expenses from my chronic illness and educational expenses. Receiving scholarships such as this one helps to lessen the stress of educational costs and allows me to focus more on my educational and career goals.
I wish to do archival work with my library sciences degree, specifically in an academic
special collection or at a museum. I have experience working within an archive as
I work at a Historical Society and I can better understand that there are various
different places one can put the degree to use. This experience has allowed me to
understand that although I do have a love for certain areas of history and would love
to work in places with collections devoted to the, I also have found that I working
in any type of archival space, whether it be with another Historical Society, a museum,
or a library. The part of this career that I love stems a great deal more from the
work I do, over what specific artifact that I am working on or collection I am working
in. Building and developing these collations into a comprehensive whole means a lot
to me because it allows me to create a more useful archive. I also enjoy developing
digital collections by creating digital models and 3D scans. These digital collections
also make the archives more accessible by allowing the items I catalog, preserve,
and digitize to be seen by more than just those who could physically visit the collection.
I have spent time volunteering with Dr. Davide Tanasi in the field of digital humanities,
and it has shown me a whole new way to work in an archival space and create digital
collections. These funds will also allow me to devote more time to volunteering at
the IDEx labs as I can cut back some of my working hours and still have funds for
my education.
Once again, I鈥檇 like to thank you so much for funding this scholarship and I am so
grateful to have been chosen to receive your support."
H.W. Wilson Scholarship
JENNIFER IZQUIERDO
"I am writing to express my deepest gratitudes for being awarded the H.W. Wilson Endowed Scholarship. I am very appreciative to learn that I was considered as a recipient for this scholarship.
I am currently in my second to last semester of my MLIS. Upon graduating I wish to pursue a career in archives, uniting my passions in librarianship and historical research to both preserve and highlight underrepresented and marginalized histories.
As a first generation student, being awarded the Earl W Halsey Scholarship means a lot to me. Receiving this scholarship has lightened my financial burden, which will allow me to focus more on the most important aspect of school: learning. Along with this degree, I am also pursuing a History master鈥檚 at the University of Florida. Earning this scholarship will allow me to better balance my studies without the added burden of financial stress.
Once again, thank you so much for considering me as a recipient of this scholarship! I am deeply honored to receive this scholarship and I will do my best to be worthy of the potential you saw in me."
Matthieu Castillo
"Please accept my warmest gratitude to all the donors who made this scholarship possible. I am truly honored to have been chosen as a recipient, and I will remember this honor with pride throughout my career as a librarian. This opportunity reflects both a significant personal achievement and a clear alignment with my long-term goals. I am the first person in my family to pursue a master鈥檚 degree, and despite the barriers to higher education that have shaped my experience, I continue to persevere. I carry this milestone with deep respect, knowing I stand on the shoulders of those who made my path possible and with a strong commitment to honoring their legacy through my work.
Receiving the W. Wilson Endowed Scholarship is a powerful affirmation of my journey and a reminder to persevere in the face of ongoing legislative challenges and structural inequities that seek to silence marginalized communities like mine. Despite the increasing attacks on libraries and intellectual freedom, I remain steadfast in my commitment to the profession. I continue to engage with library communities across the country and dedicate myself to working directly in library spaces. Support like this enables me to focus more fully on my education and strengthens my resolve to advance equity, representation, and accessibility within the field of library and information science.
As both an ALA Spectrum Scholar and a proud USF scholar, I am committed to representing the Bull community throughout my career. Receiving this scholarship is not only a meaningful recognition of my efforts, but also the first step toward achieving my long-term goal of becoming an Associate Dean or Dean of Libraries at an academic institution. I hope to lead transformative initiatives that center inclusivity and social justice in all aspects of library services. My vision is to create academic library environments where every individual, regardless of race, background, ability, or socioeconomic status, feels empowered to read, write, learn, and thrive.
Through mentorship, inclusive programming, and equitable policy development, I hope to shape libraries into spaces that do more than house information. They should be centers of empowerment, access, and belonging. Thank you once again for believing in my potential and for supporting the future of librarianship one scholarship at a time."
Johnie Key Thompson memorial Scholarship
BROOKE BUSSE
"My name is Brooke Busse, and I have been selected to receive the Johnie Key Thompson Memorial Scholarship for 2025-2026. I am writing to express my thanks and to share what your generosity means to me.
I am pursuing my Master鈥檚 in Library and Information Science with the goal of becoming a public youth librarian. I have experience working in the youth areas of public libraries, and I would love to spend my professional career there. Being someone who believes in the power of stories to better our lives and our society, fostering literacy, creativity, and empathy in youth matters a great deal to me. It would be an honor to support the youth in my community, and honestly, it just sounds plain fun.
As of this summer semester, I am halfway through the program. Your financial contribution will allow me to complete my degree and begin my librarianship career without financial stress that could distract from my goals. Your support also serves as additional motivation to do my best for our field, our communities, and our youth."
Patricia Andrew Cone
Emerio Joel Mendez
"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for being selected as a recipient of
the
Patricia Andrew Cone Endowed Scholarship. It is an incredible honor to be chosen,
and I
am truly thankful for your generous support.
This award will have a significant impact on both my education and my career aspirations.
As a graduate student pursuing a Master鈥檚 in Information and Library Science, I am
passionate about becoming a public librarian who can serve and uplift diverse
communities. However, due to financial constraints, I have been relying on credit
cards to
pay for half of my tuition, while Vocational Rehabilitation has kindly covered the
other half.
Unfortunately, this has led to increased credit card debt, and because of my current
credit
standing, I am not eligible for student loans.
Receiving this scholarship will alleviate much of the financial burden I鈥檓 facing
this
semester and even help cover part of next semester鈥檚 costs. It gives me the opportunity
to
focus more on my studies and less on how I will afford them. This gift not only relieves
financial stress but also empowers me to continue moving forward toward my goal of
becoming a dedicated and impactful librarian.
Thank you once again for this life-changing support. I am truly humbled and inspired
by
your generosity."