Home >>  Taton Scholarship Award The David L. Taton Scholarship Award For Professional Development Overview | FAQs | Application | Winners

Program Overview

Application deadline: April 11, 2008

Dave Taton was a passionate believer in the HR profession and in the importance of ongoing personal and professional development. In his memory The David L. Taton Scholarship Award for Professional Development provides assistance to professionals currently serving in the field of Human Resources who require financial assistance to further their professional development.

HR professionals who need assistance funding career development through the following methods can submit applications:

• Academic HR programs such as those presented at the post-baccalaureate level at a recognized educational institution of higher learning.
   
• HR certification programs such as those for PHR and SPHR designation.
   
• HR Professional development programs sponsored by SHRM such as attendance at a SHRM national, state or regional conference.

If you are interested in professional development this year and your company doesn't provide funds for professional development, you are eligible to apply for the David L. Taton Scholarship for Professional Development, administered by the RI State Council of SHRM.

Awards of up to $1,000 will be made once a year during the lifetime of the fund. Each award may be for all or part of the $1,000. For example, two people might be awarded $500 each in order to underwrite their attendance at a SHRM conference or one person might be awarded the entire $1,000 to support his/her graduate studies in HR. The dispersal of the award is entirely at the discretion of the committee administering the scholarship fund.

Return to top of this page

Eligibility

In order to be considered for the scholarship award, applicants must:

• Be currently working in the field of Human Resources or an HR professional in transition;
   
• Be a national member of SHRM as well as a chapter member;
   
• Live in Rhode Island or be employed by a company located in Rhode Island;
   
• Demonstrate need by presenting company policy or letter from a company officer, indicating that the program expense is not covered by the organization.

Previous applicants and past award recipients must re-apply each year to eligible for an award. Only one award will be granted to an individual in a 12-month period. Awards will be announced in May 2008.

Return to top of this page

Selection

The individual recipients will be selected on the basis of need, work experience, and their commitment to the human resources profession. The selection committee consists of active members of SHRM who will review all applications submitted. Applications will not be returned and all decisions are final.

Return to top of this page

How to Apply

Return the completed and signed application form, with all supporting documentation, to the address indicated below. Submitted applications must be received by the selection committee no later than April 11th and must contain all supporting documentation to be considered for the upcoming year.

Applications are to be mailed to:
 
The David L. Taton Scholarship Award for
Professional Development Committee
C/O Heather Abbott
Raytheon
1847 West Main Road
MS N15
Portsmouth, RI 02871

Return to top of this page

Timeline

Award checks will be mailed to recipients after May 31st and within 30 days prior to the date specified by the awardee in the application.

Return to top of this page

Scholarship Administration

The RI State Council of SHRM will establish a committee to oversee the administration of the scholarship awards. This committee will:

• Publicize the scholarship through the state council newsletter and provide an application form on the SHRM-RI web site.
   
• Review applications and determine award recipients.
   
• Provide funding by mailing award checks and letters of congratulations directly to award recipients after notification.
   
• Recognize the award recipients through RI State Council communications including, but not limited to, the SHRM-RI web site and news releases to local media.

Return to top of this page

Award Recipients' Obligations

Award recipients agree to do the following:

Return to top of this page

For Assistance With Application Form

If you require additional assistance in completing the scholarship application, please contact:

Heather Abbott at Heather_J_Abbott@Raytheon.com