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6th Annual William A. Solemene Scholarship Essay Contest

The 6th Annual William A. Solemene Scholarship Essay Contest

William A. Solemene was a long time Dallas advertising executive.  He was generous in his philanthropy and active in civic service and party politics.  In sponsoring this scholarship, the William A. Solemene Charitable Foundation wishes to honor the spirit of active citizenship and love of country that was such an important part of his life.  Through the generosity of the Foundation, the University of Dallas has been able to award over the past five years $125,000 in scholarships apportioned to multiple students. 

Once again, the Solemene Foundation has contributed $25,000 to be apportioned among the authors of the top two or three essays. Submission requirements and the topic and prompt for the essay are listed below.

Deadline:

Deadline for submission is October 30, 2023 at midnight CDT. Scholarships will be awarded for the spring 2024 semester.

Qualifications:

  1. Applicant must be a current University of Dallas undergraduate with at least 15 credit hours but not more than 110 credit hours earned at UD.
  2. Applicant must be a Liberal Arts Major; pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in any major.
  3. Applicant must have submitted a 2023/2024 FAFSA.

Requirements: 

  1. 800-1,500 word essay - see topic below.  Line spacing for the essay should be at 1 1/2 lines.  Do not include personal identification in the essay; only include your UD student ID number at the top of your essay.  Your essay must be uploaded within the application.
  2. One letter of recommendation from a University of Dallas professor.  This letter may be uploaded with your application or emailed (either by the applicant or directly from the professor) to finaid@udallas.edu.  If the letter is emailed, the subject line of the email must be: Solemene Scholarship, ID (insert the applicant's UD ID number).

Topic of William A. Solemene Foundation Scholarship

On the Personal Meaning of Work: An Essay

Essay Prompt:

From within the context of a person’s life – from youth through the later stages of life – discuss the meaning of work.

Consider particular qualities or virtues that one might build upon in imagining a life of work. For instance, consider some of the following qualities: responsibility, diligence, honesty, cooperation or collegial relationships, purpose, rewards, personal integrity, one’s attitude toward authorities in the workplace.

In composing your essay feel free to draw on your personal experience in the working world. As you look forward to the future are there any individuals you might hope to emulate during the course of your own future work-experience?

In your discussion, consider the place or contribution of one’s own work to the well-being of civil society.

Once you have your essay and letter of recommendation from a UD professor ready, submit your application HERE.

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