Resources and Opportunities

This award was established by the San Francisco State Department of Sociology in 1994 upon the retirement of Professor John Kinch in recognition of both his and our students' contributions to the community. Dr. Kinch was a member of our Sociology Faculty for 35 years, including 15 years as Chair of the Department. During his tenure at San Francisco State University, his values and concerns were reflected in his community activities on behalf of others. In the early 1960's he took a group of his students to Selma, Alabama where they joined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s efforts to register African Americans to vote. Dr. Kinch was a strong supporter of the strike that led to the creation of the School (now College) of Ethnic Studies at SFSU.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, you must be a currently enrolled senior majoring in Sociology who is graduating in Spring 2022 and be in good academic standing at SFSU.

​How to Apply

Please apply on SFSU Academic Works.

• Submit a short statement (2-3 pages) describing: 1) the nature and extent of your involvement in community service activities; 2) why and how you became involved in this/these area/s of community service; and 3) how your activities have contributed to the  community.
• If available, please include names and contact information (phone, address, e-mail) for staff people at the organizations you were involved with, as well as the approximate dates of your involvement. Brief letters of support from people familiar with your work maybe  included, but are not required. 

​Inquiries

Sociology and Sexuality Studies Department, HSS 370, sociol@sfsu.edu

Application Deadline

Applications are due annually in the fall. The Sociology Department  will inform all eligible Sociology majors of specific due dates via email and posted fliers.

The Generation to Generation is a Graduate Award Fund In Memory of Caroline Rosen for Sociology majors and recent alums applying to graduate and professional schools. Thanks to a generous donation from retired faculty member, Dr. Rachel Kahn-Hut, the Sociology Department is pleased to help Sociology students defray the costs of applying to graduate and professional school.

Eligibility

• This award is intended for lower-income students.
• Applicants should be SF State Sociology majors in their senior year or alums who graduated the preceding year.
• Student GPA in the Sociology major should be at least 3.0.
• Applicant should be among those students who faculty believe show promise for graduate study.

We will consider students applying to many types of academic and professional schools.

How to Apply

Please apply on SF State Academic Works.

Submit 3 copies of the following to the Department of Sociology and Sexuality Studies: 

1. Your name, address, phone number, e-mail and SF State ID number
2. A list of graduate programs you are applying to or have applied to, the due dates and application fees; and/or a list of any graduate entrance exams, dates and fees
3. Your Statement of Purpose for your graduate school applications, explaining your goals and qualifications for graduate study
4. A copy of a Graduate School letter of recommendation from an SF State Sociology faculty
5. Your unofficial transcripts, general GPA and GPA in the major

Application Deadline

Applications are due annually in the fall and if funds remain, again in the spring. The Sociology Department will inform all eligible Sociology majors of specific due dates via email and posted fliers.

Hediye Gürtuna, the beloved and sage mother of long time Sociology Faculty member Hülya Gürtuna and her siblings, was an early pioneer among women who pursued university degrees in the first decades following Turkish independence. As an English teacher, Hediye dedicated more than 30 years to helping her students develop the capacity to pursue their life objectives successfully in a rapidly developing nation. She was an outspoken advocate for children and their potential. The Hediye Gürtuna Scholarship is presented in her memory to continue the work with young people she found so important. This is an annual award offered to a qualified San Francisco State University Sociology major who has between two to four semesters remaining to graduate (a junior or first semester senior). 

Eligibility

• Student should be a Sociology major and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
• Students must have two to four semesters remaining to graduate ( a junior or a first semester senior).
• Applicants must provide a statement of his/her academic, community service and/or work experiences.
• Application should include a statement concerning professional goals. These experiences and/or goals should indicate an active interest in youth advocacy.

How to Apply

Please apply on SFSU Academic Works.

Submit application along with the following statements (maximum 750 words total) and information on Academic Works:

• Statement of Experience: In what ways have you been involved with youth advocacy?
• Statement of Goals: What are your professional goals and future plans concerning youth advocacy?
• GPA/University Transcripts

Dr. Irwin was a sociologist that earned his undergraduate degree from UCLA, and went on to complete his doctoral thesis at UC Berkeley. He taught for many years in San Francisco State University’s Sociology Department and in 1967 created Project Rebound, a special admissions program at San Francisco State University. Dr. Irwin passed in 2010 leaving behind a lifetime of accomplishments and an undeniable hope for the future.

Eligibility

• Student GPA should be 3.0 or higher.
• Must be an enrolled Project Rebound student working part or full time.
• Documentation showing enrollment in Project Rebound.
• Demonstrate financial need and request either a one semester or one academic year scholarship in a one page typed statement.
• Statement will include justification for requesting either the one semester or two semester award.

How to Apply

To apply, log on to SFSU Academic Works, search for the John Irwin Memorial Scholarship link, and upload the following:

1. A copy of your current SF State class schedule
2. A copy of the your unofficial transcript with SF State GPA
3. Documentation of enrollment in Project Rebound
4. A one page typed statement expressing financial need

Note: Upon notification of the scholarship award, awardees are required to submit a thank you letter addressed to the Donor of the John Irwin Memorial Scholarship. 

Application Deadline

Applications are due annually in the spring. The Sociology Department will inform all eligible Sociology majors of specific due dates via email and posted fliers.

The John Douglas Broderick Scholarship Fund was established in honor and memory of John Douglas Broderick who encouraged and supported the donor, a former Sociology student. The purpose of the fund is to provide students studying Sociology with funds for their education.

Eligibility

• Student GPA should be GPA of 2.7 or higher.
• Continuing students must be enrolled in at least half-time status in the semester they apply and recipients must be enrolled in at least half-time status in the semester they receive the scholarship payment.
• Students who have financial need, but applied for financial aid and are not eligible for federal or state grants, and students who did not apply for financial aid are both eligible.
• Students must demonstrate self-described financial need through a personal statement.
• An essay of one-page maximum length is required describing why the student would like to receive this scholarship, how it will help them, and their career goals.

How to Apply

To apply, log on to SFSU Academic Works and search for the John Douglas Broderick Scholarship Fund.

Note: Upon notification of the scholarship award, awardees are required to submit a thank you letter addressed to the Donor of the John Douglas Broderick Scholarship Fund.

Application Deadline

Applications are due annually in the fall. The Sociology Department will inform all eligible Sociology majors of specific due dates via email and posted flyers.

The Thomas E. Ryther Scholarship Fund was established in honor and memory of Thomas E. Ryther, a former Sociology professor, who taught the donor the skills to guarantee a successful life path. The purpose of the fund is to provide students studying Sociology with funds for their education.

Eligibility

• Student GPA should be 2.7 or higher.
• Continuing students must be enrolled in at least half-time status in the semester they apply and recipients must be enrolled in at least half-time status in the semester they receive the scholarship payment.
• Students who have financial need, but applied for financial aid and are not eligible for federal or state grants, and students who did not apply for financial aid are both eligible.
• Students must demonstrate self-described financial need through a personal statement.
• An essay of one-page maximum length is required describing why the student would like to receive this scholarship, how it will help them, and their career goals.

How to Apply

To apply, log on to SFSU Academic Works and search for the Thomas E. Ryther Scholarship Fund.

Note: Upon notification of the scholarship award, awardees are required to submit a thank you letter addressed to the Donor of the Thomas E. Ryther Scholarship Fund.

Application Deadline

Applications are due annually in the fall. The Sociology Department will inform all eligible Sociology majors of specific due dates via email and posted flyers.