Scholarships and Fellowships

Reed Fink Award in Southern Labor History

One or more awards of $250-$500 are given annually to individuals whose research in the Southern Labor Archives will lead to a book, article, dissertation, or other substantive product. In return, recipients agree to make a presentation about their research to the Georgia State University community within one academic year after receiving the award.

Professors Merl E. Reed and Gary Fink were instrumental in the establishment, development, and use of the Southern Labor Archives at Georgia State University from the early 1970s. Today, the Southern Labor Archives has over 500 collections used by researchers from throughout the Southeast, the United States, and the world. Created in 2000, the Merl E. Reed Fellowship in Southern Labor History was named, at the urging of Dr. Fink, to honor Dr. Reed’s career and role in the founding of the Southern Labor Archives. After Dr. Fink passed away in 2008, Dr. Reed requested that the name of the Fellowship be changed to honor Dr. Fink as well. The Reed Fink Award in Southern Labor History now honors both men and their many contributions to education, labor studies, and the Southern Labor Archives.

Faculty members, graduate students, upper-level undergraduates, and recognized independent scholars and artists are encouraged to apply.

To be considered for the 2010 Reed Fink Award in Southern Labor History, applicants should submit materials postmarked by November 30, 2009. If you choose to submit your application and supporting material electronically as .pdf documents, please e-mail them to archives@gsu.edu by end of day November 30, 2009 (please indicate in the subject line that the e-mail is a Reed Fink Award Application).

2010 Reed Fink Award Application Form (PDF format)

For More Information, contact archives@gsu.edu, subject: Reed Fink Award

or call 404-413-2880.

Joseph Jacobs Labor Scholarship

Southern Labor Archives, Special Collections Department - GSU Labor Studies

The Joseph Jacobs Labor Scholarship Fund was established to honor Joseph Jacobs, a long-time labor attorney who represented unions in Georgia. The Scholarship Fund was established in 1983 by the Organized Labor and Workmen's Circle Awards Committee and the North Georgia Building and Construction Trades Council.

One scholarship will be awarded in the amount of $1,000. The scholarship award check will be made out to Georgia State University and the student.

Specific requirements: The scholarship recipient must be admitted to or enrolled in Georgia State University and be a student in good standing. S/he must also be a member of a Georgia AFL-CIO affiliate labor organization or the spouse, child or grandchild of a member.

The topic of the essay is "The Significance of the Labor Movement in Your Life."
The length of the essay shall be between 300 and 500 words in length.
The essay shall be typewritten, double-spaced, and submitted on plain, white, 8 ½" x 11" paper.
The essay shall be accompanied by a cover sheet containing the following information: Student's name, age, home address, grade level, school presently attending, GPA, and union affiliation (self or family member)
A statement from a School Counselor or Principal attesting to the fact that the student submitting the essay is admitted to Georgia State University--such as an acceptance letter or proof of enrollment.
If currently enrolled at Georgia State University, a copy of a GSU transcript is required.

For 2010-2011, two copies of the essay and cover sheet must be postmarked no later than June 15, 2010 and sent to the following addresses:

Philip A. LaPorte, Director
Georgia State University Labor Studies Program
College of Law
P.O. Box 4037
Atlanta, GA 30302-4037

Traci Drummond, Southern Labor Archives
Georgia State University Library
Special Collections
100 Decatur St, SE
Atlanta, GA 30303

For more information, please contact GSU Special Collections and Archives, 404-413-2880 or email archives@gsu.edu, subject: Joseph Jacobs Scholarship.