DIANA PEARSON WHITE CONTINUING GENEALOGICAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
The Diana Pearson White Continuing Education Scholarship was established in 2024 to encourage Denton County Genealogical Society members to attend educational classes, conferences, or workshops to enhance their research skills. The scholarship was named for longtime DCGS member Diana Pearson White, a charter member of the group, who also served as the society’s first president in 1979-1981, with additional terms in 1996-1998 and 2002-02.
2026-27 Application Guidelines
● Who can apply? DCGS Members in good standing (Dues paid for 2026-27 membership year at time of application.)
● What is the timeline: September 10, 2026, last date for applicants to pay their 2026-27 DCGS membership dues. September 10, 2026, Application Deadline. October 8th scholarship(s) awarded at the October DCGS meeting
● What is the award? $150 is the total amount available to be awarded. The specific number and amounts of each scholarship will be determined by scholarship judges, but not to exceed $150 total. For example: Three awards of $100 may be awarded. This allows the judges some flexibility in their decision making. Applicants can request funds to cover registration or tuition costs up to $150. If the entire $150 is not rewarded, the balance will remain in the DCGS account, earmarked for the next round of scholarships.
● Where can the winner use the money? Funds awarded must be used for registration or tuition fees only for a genealogical event, such as a conference, workshop, webinar, institute, or class (examples: RootsTech, TxSGS Family History Conference, online Research Like a Pro Study Group, a Saturday Dallas County Genealogical Society seminar or workshop, etc.). Funds may not be used for hotel, travel, airfare, meals, or other costs associated with attendance at the chosen event.
● How is the scholarship winner determined? Applicants must complete an application, including the following:
Name
Contact Information (email, phone number)
Title of conference/workshop/seminar/institute the applicant wishes to attend
Cost of registration
Dollar amount requested (up to $150)
A short essay (250-400 words) on why the applicant wishes to attend this event, and how it will impact their family history research.
Whether the applicant has attended a paid genealogical event in the past.
Applicants must agree to provide a brief reflection on the event attended, either by a) a short report at an upcoming meeting or b) a written piece to be published in an upcoming DCGS News.
Provide confirmation of registration in the chosen event (receipt from organization) to the Scholarship Committee for financial recordkeeping.
Application emailed to presidentdcgs@gmail.com or handed in at the September 10th DCGS meeting. No late submissions will be accepted.
● How will the winners be decided? Applications will be reviewed by a committee of DCGS members. Judges will use a rubric to assign a score to each criterion. The highest score(s) are awarded the scholarship(s) for that round. Priority will be given to first-time event conference/workshop attendees. In future rounds, priority will be given to both first-time event attendees, and those who have not previously won a Diana Pearson White scholarship. Judges will notify the Scholarship Committee of the winner(s) and return the score sheets to the committee for archiving.The Scholarship Committee will then notify the DCGS Treasurer of the winner(s)’s names and amounts to be awarded so that checks can be prepared.
● How is the scholarship being awarded? Check(s) for the amount awarded will be given to the winner(s) at the October 2026 DCGS meeting. Recipients(s) must provide a receipt for registration at the chosen event within 30 days of registration, emailed to presidentdcgs@gmail.com.
● What happens after the event? Winner(s) will provide a brief reflection on the event attended, either by: a) a short report at the next DCGS meeting following attendance at the event, or b) a written piece to be published in the next issue of DCGS News
● Questions? Contact presidentdcgs@gmail.com.