Scholarships

Guidelines:

Unless otherwise designated, Conference Scholarship recipients receive complimentary registration to our annual conference and special recognition during the conference.  2012 scholarship recipients are responsible for their travel to the conference site (Chicago, IL) and their conference hotel expenses.  Note: This is a conference scholarship, not an essay contest. AATH fully expects the recipients of these scholarships to attend the conference.  Each scholarship has criteria that the respective namesake has requested.

  • All applications must be submitted electronically by January 27, 2012
  • Scholarship recipients will be notified by February 20, 2012.

ED DUNKELBLAU SCHOLARSHIP

Created to honor the work, dedication, commitment and contribution to AATH and the field of therapeutic humor by our past conference chair, Ed Dunkelblau.

The Ed Dunkelblau Scholarship will be awarded to a practitioner of color, or researcher, interested in the cultural applications of therapeutic humor.

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants are required to submit an application demonstrating interest, documenting their work, and expressing awareness of the mission of the organization.

APPLY FOR THE ED DUNKELBLAU SCHOLARSHIP

PAST RECIPIENTS:

  • 2010 Mary McCabe
  • 2007 Rev. Gordon W. Marchant
  • 2005 Michael J. Fletcher & Dorothea Keeling, M.Ed.

PATTY WOOTEN SCHOLARSHIP

Created to honor the work, dedication, commitment and contribution to AATH and the field of therapeutic humor by our past conference chair, Patty Wooten.

The Patty Wooten Scholarship will be awarded to a nurse who is currently involved in creating humor interventions that are being used in a therapeutic manner for patients, family and/or staff. Applicants must be a nurse- R.N., L.P.N., L.V.N., or C.N.A.

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants are required to write an essay describing how you perceive humor to be therapeutic and how your work, program, or intervention efforts have benefited patients, family, or staff.

APPLY FOR THE PATTY WOOTEN SCHOLARSHIP

PAST RECIPIENTS:

  • 2011 Sidonie Salmon
  • 2010 Lori Breitmaier
  • 2009 Amy Verble
  • 2009 Tami Vallarano
  • 2008 Judith (Judy) Oliverio
  • 2007 Helen Stucky Risdon
  • 2006 Marie Bethke
  • 2005 Naomi Blundell & Deb Gauldin

THE MARGIE KLEIN “PAPER PLATE" SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship has been added in loving memory of Margie Klein. This scholarship is named after Margie Klein, the mother of Allen Klein, 2005/2006 president of AATH.

Throughout the 95-plus-years of her life, Allen's mother continually used her sense of humor and was inspirational in Allen's teaching others about the power of humor.

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must submit an essay describing how humor helped them in work-related situations. Examples can come from the corporate world, the nonprofit arena, or the self-employed. If possible, please provide at least three examples. Essays should range from approximately 250 to 500 words. Judges will use the following three categories to rate each submission:

  • Clarity. How well did the candidate explain how humor helped them (or others) in a work-related situation?
  • Innovation/originality/creativity. To what extent is the candidate's story or situation original or creative?
  • Impact. What additional considerations are relevant to this candidate's application (personal need, impact on others, useable ideas for work-related situations)?

WHY PAPER PLATES?

After her two sons were on their own, Margie got a job at a major household appliance company. As a customer service representative, she got a call from a socialite who complained that she was having an important dinner that night and her dishwasher, with all her dishes in it, was not working. The woman insisted that a repairman be sent immediately. Margie told the irate customer that it was impossible; the repairman would be there in the morning. The woman then shouted, “And what am I supposed to do? I have twelve people coming for dinner tonight and I don't have a clean plate in the house.”

Margie calmly replied: “Use paper plates.” That was her first and last day on the job.

APPLY FOR MARGIE KLEIN “PAPER PLATE" SCHOLARSHIP


PAST RECIPIENTS:

  • 2011 Andrea Morrison
  • 2010 Helen Bzdel
  • 2009 Mindy Tarr
  • 2008 Rachel Oliver
  • 2007 Charles “Chip” Lutz

THE DAVE FAMILY "HUMOR STUDIES" SCHOLARSHIP

Created by the family of 2007-09 AATH President Lenny Dave to help cultivate the next generation of AATH members.

Awarded to a college student pursuing Humor/Laughter studies with an interest in entering the field of applied or therapeutic humor. Priority awarded as follows; Graduate Student, Undergraduate Student, Faculty (Humor/Laughter). Also, first priority given to colleges and universities in the United States.

For 2012, this scholarship recipient will receive one complimentary AATH conference registration fee and the difference, in cash, between the registration fee and $500 to help offset Travel & Lodging expenses.

Applicants are to submit essay answers (up to 250 words each) to three questions:

  • How do you plan to apply your Humor/Laughter education in the field after college?
  • Why do you feel you are most deserving of this conference scholarship?
  • How has humor/laughter helped you in a difficult situation?
APPLY FOR THE DAVE FAMILY "HUMOR STUDIES" SCHOLARSHIP


PAST RECIPIENTS:

  • 2011 Beza Merid
  • 2010 Edward Singer
  • 2009 Vera Stalker
  • 2008 Barbara Miller
  • 2007 Zach Warren

THE LENNY RAVICH "SHALOM" SCHOLARSHIP

Created by Lenny Ravich, Director of the Gestalt Institute of Tel Aviv.

This scholarship is awarded to someone whose work in humor and laughter clearly and tangibly demonstrates a commitment to world peace. For 2011, this scholarship recipient will receive complimentary AATH conference registration plus an additional $100 presented on site (in US funds) to help offset other travel costs. Applications from all countries will be considered equally.

Applicants are to submit essay answers (up to 250 words each) to three questions:

  • How do you presently apply (or plan to apply) your knowledge and experience in humor and laughter to advance world peace?
  • How has your mission and purpose in life brought you to this moment?
  • Why do you feel that you are deserving of this scholarship?

APPLY FOR THE LENNY RAVICH "SHALOM" SCHOLARSHIP

PAST RECIPIENTS:

  • 2010 Erin Keyes
  • 2008 Kerry MacNeal

THE DANNY DONUTS “BEAM OF L.I.G.H.T.” SCHOLARSHIP

Created by Danny Donuts, CPA (Comic Performance Artist).

This scholarship is awarded to a first-time conference attendee (member or non-member) who is ready to let their L.I.G.H.T shine! In this case L.I.G.H.T stands for Laughter, Inspiration, Giggles, Humor and Togetherness! The scholarship recipient will receive one complimentary AATH conference registration plus one year's regular membership fee. Recipient is responsible for any additional membership fees if they choose to become a Gold Member or pay for a multi-year membership.

Applicants are to submit an essay answer (up to 250 words) and create a short video (under 4 minutes long). Video should be posted to YouTube (youtube.com) or other video-sharing site. Both video and essay answer should convey how you presently (or plan to) let your L.I.G.H.T shine to make the world a better place.

ESSAY:

Submit an essay (up to 250 words) to address this question:

How do you presently (or plan to) let your L.I.G.H.T shine to make the world a better place?

VIDEO:

  • Should include you showing or telling us about how you let your L.I.G.H.T. shine.
  • Will be judged on content and will not be judged on professional video quality. Web cams and mobile phone uploads will be judged equally with polished HD video.
  • Make sure you include “AATH” when you enter in your tags.
  • Include link to your posted video (http://…) with your e-application.
  • Creativity and humor are encouraged. Remember, this is a humor organization!

APPLY FOR THE DANNY DONUTS “BEAM OF L.I.G.H.T. ”SCHOLARSHIP

PAST RECIPIENTS:

  • 2011 Pam Wener

THE BARBARA MILLER HUMOR ACADEMY EDUCATOR SCHOLARSHIP

Created by Barbara Miller to celebrate and embrace the purpose and professional curriculum of the AATH Humor Academy.

This scholarship is to be awarded to an educator who is actively involved in the pursuit of promoting and using humor in education. Applicants may be classroom teachers, school administrators, or those involved in higher education.

Applicants are to answer the following 3 questions:

  • How do you currently use humor in education? Please tell us a bit about what you do in regards to incorporating humor in educational settings, and why the topic is of interest to you.
  • What additional skills, information, or talents are you hoping to gain through participation in the AATH conference?
  • What are your plans for promoting the use of humor in education beyond?
APPLY FOR THE BARBARA MILLER HUMOR ACADEMY “EDUCATORS” SCHOLARSHIP


Disclaimer for ALL Scholarships:

If, in the opinion of the scholarship committee, there are no suitable entries for a particular scholarship, that scholarship may not be awarded. Scholarships are awarded for the specified conference year only and cannot be carried forward to future conferences. Submitted essay responses should not exceed 400 words, unless otherwise directed. Applications must be received by January 27, 2012.