Scholarships

The Department of Theatre currently offers the following three scholarships for deserving theatre majors:

The Daniel Vollmer Scholarship*

The Daniel Vollmer Scholarship is awarded to one outstanding first-year theatre major. The scholarship recognizes students who have shown talent and promise in the theatrical arts during their high school years. The 60% tuition scholarships are awarded on the basis of achievement in theatre and a student's written statement. One-half of the annual scholarship amount is applied in each semester of the year of award. Applicants should send appropriate materials to illustrate their strength in theatre (see list below). All applicants must also submit a 250-500 word written statement. The statement should explain the skills, abilities, and experiences that make you believe you should pursue and education in art or theatre. Volmer scholarships are renewable for each of the three years after the initial year of award, as long as the recipient exhibits satisfactory progress in their area of study.

The Dean's Scholarship in the Arts*

The Dean's Scholarship in the Arts are part of a larger institutional program of Dean's scholarships. Two are specifically reserved for first-year applicants to the Theatre Department. Applicants must exhibit good stewardship of their talents in theatre, as well as some leadership in academic. co-curricular, church, and/or community endeavors. To be eligible for consideration the applicant must exceed the academic requirements for admission to Messiah College as demonstrated by meeting at least one of the following criteria: ACT score of 25 or higher, SAT score of 1140 or higher, high school GPA of 3.5 or higher (on a 4-point scale), or rank in the top 20% of their high school graduating class. Information about leadership and activities/involvement during high school is also considered. The application for admission to Messiah College supplies all of the information required for the Dean's Scholarship, but applicants in the arts must submit the materials listed below. Students who wish to be considered for the Dean's Scholarship should apply for admission to Messiah College by February 15th if planning to enroll the following fall semester.

The amount of a Dean's Scholarship in the Arts can range from $1,500 to $3,000 per year. One-half of the annual scholarship amount is applied in each semester of the year of award. A Dean's Scholarship in the Arts is renewable for each of the three years after the initial year of award, as long as the recipient exhibits continuing leadership or the stewardship of talents at Messiah College, and maintains a 2.8 grade point average. Each student who receives a Dean's Scholarship in the Arts is required to submit a statement to the Messiah College Admissions and Financial Aid Committee at the conclusion of each academic year outlining their activities and leadership roles of the year. Trustees' Scholarship recipients and President's Scholarship recipients are not eligible for a Dean's Scholarship.

Prospective students wishing to be considered for the Daniel Vollmer and Dean's scholarships should plan to audition on Saturday, February 16, 2008 or Saturday, March 8, 2008. To be considered for scholarships, you must have your Messiah College application completed by February 1st. For those unable to attend either of the spring scholarship auditions, auditions are available by appointment and students may still be considered for scholarships. For more information, please visit the "auditions" page of this website.

Jacob G. and Mary W. Kuhns Endowed Scholarship

The Jacob G. and Mary W. Kuhns Endowed Scholarship seeks to recognize juniors and seniors who have distinguished themselves as outstanding leaders in academic, co-curricular, church and/or community endeavors.  The scholarship will be awarded to juniors with a minimum 3.0 grade point average who major in English Literature, Humanities Literature, or Theater.  For the award to continue for the senior year, the recipient(s) must submit a renewal application to the Messiah College Financial Aid Committee at the conclusion of their junior year and maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in the senior year.

HOW TO APPLY: A candidate for the Kuhns Scholarship may request a Scholarship Application from the Admissions Office. Completed applications must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office no later that March 1st of each year.


*Please note: all scholarships are made on the basis of meritorious achievement in the arts. These scholarship awards are used by the school to help meet the documented need of a student's financial aid package. Therefore, students receiving a President's Scholarship, a Dean's Scholarship for academic merit, or other institutional full or partial tuition scholarships may be ineligible to receive additional awards for artistic merit. Please contact the Financial Aid Office directly if you have questions regarding your eligibility for these scholarships.


Please contact Dr. Valerie Rae Smith regarding Department of Theatre scholarships. You can reach her at:

Valerie Rae Smith, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Theatre
Messiah College
One College Avenue
Grantham, PA 17027
717-766-2511 x7386
717-856-8060 (mobile)
717-796-5248 (Fax)
vsmith@messiah.edu