History Scholarships

The application portal for 2023/2024 scholarships is now closed. Please check back Spring 2024.

The below scholarships are open to all History majors who have completed 12 credit hours of History (or who will have 12 hours of History completed by the end of this current semester) at Baylor University.

You need only to apply and fill out the form once, as you will be considered for each scholarship for which you qualify. Questions? View our FAQ page here or contact our office at 254-710-2667.

• The Robert Gilbert Memorial Endowed Scholarship in History

  is an endowed scholarship established in 2021 to support students enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences, with preference given to underrepresented students, who are pursuing a major in history, and come from diverse communities and backgrounds historically underrepresented at Baylor University, including low-income and first generation.

• The George Michael Stuart Scholarship in History

  is a merit-based scholarship and is open to History majors. The George M. Stuart Scholarship Fund was established in 1988 in memory of Mr. George Michael Stuart, a 1957 Baylor graduate, by his mother Mrs. Ferne B. Stuart and friends.

• The Kevin Hal Reynolds Scholarship

  is a merit and need-based scholarship and is open to History majors. The Kevin Hal Reynolds Scholarship was established in 1998 to assist students majoring in history on the basis of merit and need.

• The Lavonia Jenkins-Barnes Endowed Scholarship

  is a merit and/or need-based scholarship available to History majors, with preference given to students with a demonstrated interest in Women’s History and/or Gender Studies. The Lavonia Jenkins Barnes Endowed Scholarship Fund was established on May 10, 1995 in honor and recognition of Mrs. Barnes' lifetime of exceptional accomplishments and outstanding service to Baylor University and the City of Waco.

• The John M. Roberts Scholarship

  is a merit-based scholarship and is open to History majors. This scholarship was established in 1999 in memory of John Michael Roberts, who was tragically killed in 1994. John was a student at Baylor University and the 99th member of Sigma Nu fraternity. His Bachelor of Arts in History degree was awarded posthumously to his parents in December 1994. A tree was dedicated in his memory on March 24, 1999 in the Burleson Quadrangle, along with the creation of this endowed scholarship fund.

• The James W. Vardaman History Scholarship

  is a merit-based scholarship open to History majors participating in a Baylor study abroad program. This scholarship was established in 2003 to honor Dr. James W. Vardaman, Professor Emeritus of History and Master Teacher at Baylor University. Dr. Vardaman received a B.A. degree from Baylor in 1951, an M.A. degree from the University of Minnesota at Crookston in 1952, and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in 1957. He taught at Baylor for 33 years and passed away in 2018.

• The Gene and Mary Richardson Endowed Scholarship Fund in Honor of Dr. James and Elizabeth Vardaman

  is a merit and need-based scholarship open to History majors participating in a Baylor study abroad program. This scholarship fund was established in 2012 by Gene A. and Mary C. Richardson. Dr. James Vardaman earned a B.A. degree from Baylor University in 1951, an M.A. degree from the University of Minnesota in 1952, and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in 1957. He taught at Baylor for 33 years and was presented with the Herbert H. Reynolds Retired Faculty Award in 2007 and the W. R. White Meritorious Service Award in 2004. He passed away in 2018. Elizabeth Vardaman earned B.S. and M.A. degrees from Baylor in 1965 and 1980, respectively and has served in various capacities within the university. Dr. Gene Richardson earned B.S. and M.D. degrees from Baylor in 1954 and 1957, respectively, and is a member of Baylor’s Heritage Club. Mary Richardson attended the University of Texas and became an Alumnus-by-Choice of Baylor in 1986.

• The Guittard-Verlander-Voegtle Endowed Scholarship Fund in History

  is a merit-based scholarship open to undergraduate History majors with a preference given to those with a desire to teach history or take an advanced degree in history. This scholarship fund was established in 2016 by Charles F. Guittard and Patricia Verlander Guittard, Henry J. and Mary Guittard Voegtle, and John R. and Jo H. Guittard in memory of their grandfather, Dr. Francis G. Guittard, the first chair of the history department at Baylor, their step-grandmother Josephine Glenn Guittard ("Mama Josie"), and their parents, Chief Justice Clarence A. Guittard and Mary Louise Kee Guittard, both of whom graduated from Baylor.

• The Jenice and Crawford Long Endowed Scholarship Fund in History

  is a merit and need-based scholarship open to History majors. A student's desire to teach history after graduation is taken into consideration when deciding between students otherwise qualified. This scholarship was established by Carol Jenice and E. Crawford Long of Waco, Texas. Crawford Long received his B.A. degree in 1970 and his J.D. degree in 1973 from Baylor University. Crawford retired in 2010 as Assistant District Attorney with the McLennan County District Attorney's Office. Jenice Long received her B.A. degree magna cum laude from Baylor University in 1995. Crawford and Jenice are members of the Bear Foundation and the Endowed Scholarship Society.

• Roe and Jessie Betterton Endowed Scholarship Fund in History

  The Roe and Jessie Betterton Endowed Scholarship Fund in History was established, in their memory, in 2020, by their children, Ken L. Betterton and Karen Ro Betterton Heuberger. This endowed scholarship fund provides assistance to deserving students attending Baylor University, Waco, Texas, who are enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences, with preference given to students who are pursuing a degree in history and have completed twelve or more hours of U.S. History courses.