Scholarship Overview
The Christopher D. Fields Memorial Scholarship was established by CodeCrew in memory of Christopher D. Fields, who passed away on April 11, 2020. Chris Fields, a 1991 graduate of Memphis East High School, was an accomplished human resources professional who also served as CodeCrew’s social media manager from 2016 until his untimely passing. Chris played a vital role in documenting and telling the CodeCrew story, helping the organization grow toward its mission to bring quality computer science education to every child in Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee and to connect disconnected adults to careers in software development. This scholarship ensures Chris’s contributions to computer science education continue.
The Christopher D. Fields Memorial Scholarship is an annual merit-based scholarship intended to honor and support outstanding undergraduate students majoring in Computer Science and enrolled full-time at one of the following Memphis-based, accredited four-year degree-granting institutions:
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Christian Brothers University
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LeMoyne-Owen College
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Rhodes College
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The University of Memphis
Eligibility
The following additional criteria shall guide the selection of Fields Scholars:
Scholarship
Students may be entering or returning students, but must be enrolled full-time at one of the four aforementioned institutions.
Commitment
Students must demonstrate a commitment to the discipline of Computer Science for their professional career, as evidenced by, among other things, a major in Computer Science.
Merit
Students must demonstrate a dedication to academic excellence, by having a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
Leadership
Students must demonstrate a capacity for leadership, as evidenced by, among other things, examples of leadership talent, skills, and experiences.
While all applicants meeting the above criteria are encouraged to apply, special consideration will be given to applicants who:
Involvement
Have been active CodeCrew participants, either as students, volunteers, teaching assistants, or some other capacity.
Underrepresented
Are members of one of the populations underrepresented in tech that CodeCrew targets, namely African-Americans, Latinos, and females.
Memphis East
Are graduates of Memphis East High School.
Opportunity
Have not previously been awarded the Christopher D. Fields Scholarship.
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Application PrOcESS
Applicants must apply online at https://bit.ly/FieldsScholarsApp. Applications are accepted annually, opening April 1 of each year, and ending June 30 at 11:59PM Central Daylight Time. Completed applications are reviewed and evaluated by a committee that includes representatives from CodeCrew and the Memphis East High School Class of 1991. Recipients are informed by July 31. Scholarships are awarded by August 15 of each year, upon CodeCrew’s receipt of proof of enrollment at the qualifying institution. Recipients will also be recognized at an October awards presentation.
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Amount of Scholarship
The Christopher D. Fields Memorial Scholarship will be awarded on a one-time basis to one or more students in the amount of $1,000 or more, depending on annual funding and availability. Scholarships are awarded by check directly to recipients. Recipients will be selected each year. Previous recipients may apply.
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Donations to the Christopher D. Fields Memorial Scholarship
Donations to the Christopher D. Fields Memorial Scholarship are accepted via the Chris Fields Scholarship Fund website. The number and size of scholarships awarded each year will be determined by the selection committee based on the funding the scholarship receives from annual donors. Donors are encouraged to make recurring donations to the scholarship fund to ensure Chris Fields’s legacy of increasing access to quality computer science education continues.
