Scholarship named for alumna now available for McDaniel Graduate students pursuing a Master’s in School Librarianship

Update (09.04.24): The 2025 scholarship application deadline is March 15, 2025.

McDaniel College is partnering with The Community Foundation of Frederick County to offer a scholarship for McDaniel College graduate students pursuing a School Librarianship master’s degree.

The Carolyn D. McGolerick Scholarship is named for a 1971 McDaniel (formerly Western Maryland) College alumna, who served as a librarian at Fort Detrick and at St. John’s School in Emmitsburg, Md. 

Scholarships will be awarded annually through the Carolyn D. McGolerick Scholarship Fund, which was established through her estate and is one of the more than 700 component funds managed by the Community Foundation.

New applicants, as well as current students of the School Librarianship program at McDaniel, are eligible to apply for the scholarship, with some preference given to Frederick County residents, graduates of Frederick County high schools, or current employees of Frederick County schools. Scholarship funds awarded must be used during the next academic calendar year (fall, spring, and summer semesters) and previous scholarship recipients may reapply each spring for additional funding for subsequent years.

“We are honored to partner with The Community Foundation of Frederick County and offer the Carolyn D. McGolerick Scholarship that will greatly benefit students pursuing the School Librarianship program at McDaniel,” said Vickie Mazer, dean of Graduate and Professional Studies. 

“While the program has equipped some of the most highly-qualified school librarians, it also prepares candidates to take on new, evolving roles as instructional leaders, information specialists, and outstanding library administrators," Mazer said.

Applications for the scholarship open every spring semester and are announced by June 1. Those interested in receiving the scholarship must apply to the School Librarianship program and submit the Carolyn D. McGolerick Scholarship application materials by the deadline that appears on the online application.

McDaniel’s School Librarianship master’s degree program is nationally recognized by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). The program is also a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) approved program leading to certification as a Maryland Library Media Specialist. Students can complete the program in two years by taking six credit hours per semester.

Graduate degree programs for school librarians have been available since the college began offering master’s degrees in the mid-1930s and the program at McDaniel became fully online in 2012.

Applications for the scholarship can be submitted online. To apply for admission to the School Librarianship master’s degree program, complete the graduate application. Applicants with questions can speak to a Graduate Admissions Counselor by contacting 410-386-4833 or cperry@mcdaniel.edu.