LBJ School - Development and External Affairs - Student Fellowship Endowments

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Student Fellowship Endowments

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Student Fellowship Endowments

Student fellowship endowments provide the ongoing income for scholarships, fellowships, and professional development activities. Fellowships minimize the debt burden on incoming and current students. Financial support enables students to focus on developing their skills as well as participate in school and community activites and organizations. These experiences outside the classroom significantly enhance students' overall learning experiences and provide them with opportunities that can lead to internship and employment opportunities.

Fellowships are awarded to deserving LBJ School students based on the criteria set forth by the donor. Contributions to support a student endowment can be made through the LBJ School Annual Fund.

Endowed Fellowships

Barbara Jordan Scholars Program
Ben Barnes Fellowship in Public Leadership
Henry & Bryna David Fellowship
Frances Goff Scholarship Fund
Claudia Johnson Fellowship
Moody Graduate Fellowship
Emmette Redford Fellowship
Steven Spinner Fund
Buck Breland Memorial Fellowship
Jennifer Duggan Fellowship
Susan Ginsburg Hadden Fellowship
Terrell Blodgett Fellowship
J.J. Pickle Scholarship
Elspeth Rostow Excellence Fund
Robert Strauss Fellowship
John Gronouski 20th Anniverary Fellowship

Fellowship Descriptions

Barbara Jordan Scholars Program

The Barbara Jordan Scholars Program supports students with strong leadership potential pursuing their Master's degree at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. The program honors Barbara Jordan, a lawyer, who was the first black woman elected to the Texas Legislature and the first black woman from the South ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She served in the Texas Senate from 1967-73 and in the U.S. House from 1973-79. As one of the nation's greatest orators, she mesmerized the world with her speech on ethics and moral conscience during the Watergate hearings. After her legislative career, she held the endowed Lyndon B. Johnson Centennial Chair in National Policy at the LBJ School. In 1994 she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor.

The Barbara Jordan Scholars Program provides a full fellowship for the two years Master's program and for a required summer internship.

Ben Barnes Fellowship in Public Leadership

As a way of recognizing Governor Barnes' leadership and his many contributions to Texas and the nation, the LBJ School established the endowed Ben Barnes Fellowship program. Ben Barnes has dedicated his life to public service including serving as Texas' lieutenant governor. His career began in the Texas House of Representatives where he was soon named Speaker of the House. By the age of 30 he was elected as Texas' youngest lieutentant governor. He is currently founder and principal of Entrecorp, a firm advising companies on government relations and capital acquisitions. In 1995 he was named Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Texas.

This scholarship program supports students from around the country who have strong leadership potential and a demonstrated interest in public service.

Henry & Bryna David Fellowship

The Henry & Bryna David Fellowship was established through the Bryna David estate in order to promote human resource policy studies at the LBJ School's Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources. Both Henry, a former professor at the LBJ School, and Bryna David devoted their careers to research and instruction in the field of labor and social policy.

This fellowship will support a public affairs graduate student who will conduct applied research at the Ray Marshall Center. The fellowship lasts up to two years.

Frances Goff Scholarship Fund

Established to honor Frances Goff and her three remarkable careers, this scholarship supports a student who wishes to work in the Office of the Texas Governor. Frances Goff served as legislative aide and State Budget Director; at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; and as the Director of the Bluebonnet Girls State Program of the American Legion Auxilliary.

The Francis Goff Scholarship Fund provides income to support summer internships for LBJ School Students in the Office of the Governor. Recipients must have a 3.5 GPA and preferably be former citizens of the Texas Girls State Program.

Claudia Johnson Fellowship

Named for former First Lady, Claudia Taylor (Lady Bird) Johnson, the Claudia Johnson Fellowship honors her exceptional career in public service as First Lady and as an outstanding American citizen. Lady Bird Johnson's accomplishments include her pioneering environmental program Keep America Beautiful and her leadership in the National Head Start Program. Lady Bird has played an integral role in supporting the development of the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Her prestigious awards include the Medal of Freedom awarded by President Gerald Ford in 1977 and the Congressional Gold Medal awarded by President Ronald Reagan awarded in 1988.

Any qualified LBJ Master's student may receive this fellowship.

Moody Graduate Fellowship

One of the LBJ School's longest standing fellowships, the Moody Graduate Fellowship provides financial support to any qualified LBJ School student.

Emmette Redford Fellowship

This fellowship was established to honor Emmette Redford's long and distinguished career in teaching and his devotion to public policy education. Recognized by the political science community as one of the nation's preeminant scholars on the public policy process and national government administration, Professor Redford authored numerous books, articles, book chapters, and monographs. The fellowship program supports Dr. Redford's desire to assist students who might otherwise be unable to attend the LBJ School. Professor Redford served as a UT faculty member for over 60 years and played a key role in the development of the LBJ School of Public Affairs.

The fellowship provides vital support to students pursuing a doctoral degree in public affairs.

Steven Spinner Fund

This fund was established to commemorate Steven Spinner, a 1984 graduate of the LBJ School of Public Affairs who died on September 27, 1995. Steve's career was devoted to developing a comprehensive system for employment and training and to fostering public-private partnerships in the area of workforce development. As the Job Training Advisor to the U.S. Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee, he led a bipartisan staff effort to write what would become the Workforce Development Act. Prior to working on Capital Hill, Steve worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusettes crafting innovative workforce development policies and programs.

Income from this endowment funds the required 12 week summer internship for a second year student interested in workforce development policy. The student must engage in a project which should be mutually beneficial to the organization and to the student's academic and professional goals. The internship assumes culmination in a professional report.

Related Links
Steven Spinner Fund

Buck Breland Memorial Fellowship

The Buck Breland Memorial Fellowship was established to honor the memory of Buck Breland, an exceptional person who exemplified compassion and generosity. As the keynote speaker for the LBJ School's 1997 commencement, Buck delivered a moving and well remembered speech. For most of his life, Buck advocated for increasing access to healthcare. After graduation from the LBJ School he attended the Princeton Theological Seminary where he continued to advocate for improved health care policy. Buck is remembered for the spirit he shared through his work, studies, and relationships with friends, colleagues and acquaintences.

This award is open to all entering LBJ students with an interest in health policy.

Jennifer Duggan Fellowship

This fellowship honors the life, work, and passion of Jen Duggan, a 1999 graduate of the LBJ School who dedicated her studies to the issues of poverty and inequality. Her academic achievements received the “LBJ Foundation Excellence Award” and best thesis nomination for “The Effects of Inequality on Public Health: Implications for the United States.” Jen was also actively involved with political and humanitarian efforts, both on a policy level and a personal level, including active participation in the LBJ School's mentorship program and her work with the Texas Democratic Party. Jen's radiant personality, exceptional intellect, and commitment to social policy truly embodied the spirit of public service and lives on today through her impact on others.

This fellowship provides tuition assistance for master's degree candidates who are committed to public service, with special emphasis given to those pursuing the study of economic inequality and its societal effects.

Susan Ginsburg Hadden Fellowship

This fellowship was established to honor Susan Ginsburg Hadden who served on the LBJ Schoool faculty from 1979 until her death in 1995. Professor Hadden played an important role in the creation and development of the PhD program. Her strong support for the doctoral program stemmed from a belief that raising the level of inquiry into policy problems is essential to the democratic process. Hadden was a pioneer in the use of the Internet and dedicated much of her policy research and public activities towards improving the public's access to government information. Her intellect and ability to think about seemingly local issues globally was an inspiration to her students and colleagues.

This fellowship is awarded to doctoral students who have completed all coursework and examinations, except the dissertation, toward their doctoral degrees. The award will be for one year only and may not be deferred.

Related Links
Susan Ginsberg Hadden Fellowship Fund

Terrell Blodgett Fellowship

Established to honor LBJ School Professor Emeritus Terrell Blodgett, the Blodgett Fellowship provides funds for a student with strong professional interests in local government to spend his or her internship working in the office of any municipal government on a project of mutual interest to the student and to the municipality. Prior to his appointment at the LBJ School in 1982, Blodgett spent several years in city management in Austin, Waco and Garland, served in Governor John Connally's administration, and was the principal in charge of government services for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Co. for the Southwest region. Blodgett retired from teaching in 1995; since then he has helped found the Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations (TANO) and serves on their Board of Directors.

The Blodgett Fellowship is awarded annually to an LBJ School graduate student interested in pursuing a career in local government. The fellowship supports a summer internship with a local government and the student's second academic year.

J.J. Pickle Scholarship

In honor of his distinguished career in public service as Austin's former Congressman and his high regard for the American political system, the J.J. Pickle Scholarship program supports academic preparation and practical internship experience for students interested in all facets of federal and state government. J.J. Pickle served as Texas' U.S. Representative for over 30 years, earning a reputation for pulling together diverse coalitions crossing party and regional divisions. He played an integral role in developing policy that included saving taxpayers billions of dollars, overhauling Social Security, and bringing the high tech industry to Austin, now a global leader in the semiconductor field.

The scholarship supports students who might not otherwise be able to attend the LBJ School and also provides funding for an intership program that places students in postions of responsibility in congressional offices or on federal and state committee and agency staffs.

Elspeth Rostow Excellence Fund

This Excellence Fund honors LBJ School professor and former Dean Elspeth Rostow whose intellect and career in public service have inspired generations of LBJ students. Rostow's career includes serving on the Board of the United States Institute of Peace during the Reagan Administration and as a Trustee of the Southern Center for International Studies in Atlanta. Her local efforts include cofounding the Austin Project, a comprehensive program investing in young people and children.

The Elspeth Rostow Excellence Fund provides support for scholarship needs, as well as help for faculty members with a variety of unfunded needs.

Related Links
Elspeth Rostow Faculty Page

Robert Strauss Fellowship

The Strauss Fellowship provides continuing financial assistance based on need and merit to students from across the country. The fellowship honors Bob Strauss, whose prestigious career includes serving as the nation's first post-cold war ambassador to Russia. From 1987 to1989, Ambassabor Strauss held the Lloyd M.Benston, Jr. Chair in Government and Business Relations in the LBJ School. Previously, Strauss served in the cabinet of President Carter as a special representative for trade negotiations and was President Carter's personal representative to the Middle East peace negotiations, for which he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Strauss also served as chairman of the Democratic Party.

This fellowship supports a wide range of student education and policy research benefiting the School, the University, and the community. Fellowships are awarded on academic and intellectual abilities and a commitment to a public service career.

John Gronouski 30th Anniversary Fellowship

Named for the LBJ School's first Dean, the John Gronouski Fund was established during the LBJ School's 30th Anniversary. As part of the anniversary celebration, the School decided to honor the Dean whose leadership laid the foundation for the School's current interdisciplinary curriculum. His theory of balancing theory and practice continue to guide the LBJ School. Gronouski's distinguished career includes serving presidential appointments as U.S. Postmaster General and Ambassador to Poland.

The John Gronouski Fund provides financial support to qualified LBJ master's candidates.

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Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs