Generations of Lawrence anthropology majors and minors have graduated from Lawrence and gone on to pursue interesting, meaningful, and anthropology-informed careers thanks to the fine teaching, mentorship and research opportunities provided by Professors Ron and Carol Mason.

The Ronald J. and Carol I. Mason Excellence in Anthropology Fund seeks to continue that legacy by providing funding for current students to pursue research or training opportunities in Anthropology.

The Mason Fund supports two grant opportunities for students. 


Contribute to the Mason Fund

The Ronald J. and Carol I. Mason Excellence in Anthropology Fund is the result of generous gifts from alumni and friends of the department, who wish to expand the opportunities for current Lawrence students to experience lifelong benefits from anthropological training and research during college. The fund also derives from the foundational efforts of Ron and Carol Mason who, over several decades, worked to establish and maintain a strong and vibrant anthropology program at Lawrence.

Make a gift to the Mason Fund for Excellence in Anthropology 

Those wishing to bolster the ability of the Mason Fund to support future students may make a gift to Lawrence University. Indicate that the gift should be directed to the Mason Fund for Excellence in Anthropology. 

Mason Fund Research and Training Award

Grants are available for research or training in anthropology that takes place off-campus, occurs between terms (summer, winter, or spring breaks), or that requires the purchase of supplies. 

Examples of projects include participation in an ethnographic or archaeological field school, a field or laboratory based internship or research experience in anthropology, and collaborative anthropological research with a faculty member. 

Amount

Up to $1500 can be used to support travel costs, living expenses, supplies, and fees (but not tuition or durable equipment). 

Apply

Applications for funding for 2023 summer opportunities are due as .doc, .docx, .rtf, or .pdf documents by March 31, 2023 and should be sent as an attached file to carla.daughtry@lawrence.edu. Contact Professor Carla Daughtry or any faculty member in the Anthropology Department for more information.

Required Application Materials:

  • Essay of no more than 500 words describing the nature of the opportunity; the way in which the opportunity will contribute to the applicant’s future education, career, or development as an anthropologist; and the relationship of the opportunity to the applicant’s prior coursework or future study plans at Lawrence.
  • Detailed budget
  • Timetable listing any decision dates for acceptance into formal programs (e.g. field schools, research internships), decision dates for any other funding for the project that has been applied for, as well as a completion date for the project. 

A written report on the experience will be due soon after completion of the project. 

 


Mason Fund Off-Campus Study Award

Grants are available for an approved off-campus study program that has substantial anthropological content, such as training or research experience. Recipients must be declared Anthropology majors with financial need whose academic records demonstrate academic commitment to anthropology and the potential for future achievement in the discipline. 

Amount

The maximum amount of the award is $2,000 or the total of the applicant’s demonstrated financial need for the term or semester of off-campus study, whichever is less.

Application Instructions

Applications for each academic year are due by May 1 although they may be submitted at any time prior to that date.  Applications should be sent as an attached file to carla.daughtry@lawrence.edu.

Required Application Materials:

  • Name of off-campus study program
  • Description of the anthropological training or research opportunity
  • Statement of financial need
  • Description of cost difference between the off-campus study program and on-campus study
  • A list of anthropology courses taken at Lawrence and grades received

Preference will be given to applicants who have demonstrated academic commitment to anthropology by progress in their required courses for the major, and whose academic record in anthropology indicates a potential for future achievement in the discipline.

 

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