Irene's Scholarship

Maureen Gleason Bryant is the founder of Spontaneity LLC, and a 2001 graduate of the Department of Family Science, having returned to complete her degree after working full-time. The donor established this scholarship in honor of her mother, Irene Wallace Gleason Baxter, who believed in life-long learning. Irene (July 11, 1936-September 25, 2018) studied nursing and worked on Wall Street. She married John “Jack” Gleason following his graduation from West Point in 1957. The family moved to Maryland in 1970 where they lived for 31 years. She held various positions on Capitol Hill and with the Maryland State Legislature. Irene was a two-time cancer survivor.

This $2,500 scholarship was designed to assist students who have taken a break away from a formal degree program and now have returned to complete their education in the School of Public Health at UMD. Recipients will be recognized at the School of Public Health’s Convocation Ceremony in May.

Applicant Requirements:

• Applicants must be a current undergraduate School of Public Health major. Priority is given to students with SPH as a primary major.
• Must have completed at least one semester at the University of Maryland in the School of Public Health.
• Students must not be in their final semester at the University of Maryland in the School of Public Health.
• Must be sophomore standing or higher.
• Must be in good academic standing to apply for the scholarship.
• Must have spent a minimum of two years away from a formal degree program. The following are examples of breaks in education:
• Student was a UMD student, took a minimum of two years off from school and returned to UMD.
• Student was a student elsewhere, took a minimum of two years off from school and transferred to UMD. This includes other four year institutions and community colleges.
• Student graduated from high school, took a minimum of two years off from school and now attends UMD.

Applications due October 26, 2020. To apply for Irene’s Scholarship: https://umdsurvey.umd.edu/jfe/form/SV_3fJKULwuD6TPYxv. 

For more information please contact sphscholarships@umd.edu.