The Henry W. Welch Scholarship in Aging honors one of the Colorado Gerontological Society founders, whose commitment and dedication to the field of aging and human services spanned more than forty years. Dr. Welch was a forerunner and pioneer in the field of aging. He served as the first treasurer of The Society, helped to write the articles of incorporation and the by-laws, and providing parliamentarian support. For most of his career, Dr. Welch served the Denver community and Colorado, at the Metropolitan Council for Community Services, which is now the planning division of Mile High United Way. He excelled at community organization. Dr. Welch helped to found the Institute of Gerontology at the University of Denver in 1977 with support from the Administration on Aging. The Scholarship Fund was established to continue his vision of educating professionals in the field of aging.
Applications for scholarship for calendar year 2021 are now open. Applications are due by November 27, 2021 5:00 PM Mountain Time.
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This scholarship is designed to encourage academic studies in the field of aging, including gerontology, social work, public policy or various medical fields with emphasis in aging such as geriatrics, pharmacy, physical therapy, psychology or nursing. Applicants from other fields are welcome to apply, but should have a focus or concentration on working with or for the elderly. Each award is for $1000 per academic year. Applicants must be full-time matriculated students at an accredited Colorado college or university.
Applicants must complete a two-page essay in addition to the application addressing your ability to work with the elderly emphasizing your (1) previous experience with geriatrics/gerontology; (2) leadership qualities including initiative, organizational skills, and ability to influence others; (3) your ability to meet people and your interest in working with the elderly; (4) your current or previous involvement in school, community, churches or other venues where you interact with the elderly; and (5) your plans for the future including specific involvement with geriatrics/gerontology, and working with the elderly.
Awardees will be notified by telephone and mail contact. Awardees may be expected to virtually attend the 42st Annual Meeting of the Colorado Gerontological Society to receive the scholarship award. The Annual Meeting will be held on December 2, 2021 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm.
Shelby Hafner
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Skaggs School of Pharmacy
Expected Graduation May 2022
Shelby Hafner is a pursuing a doctorate of pharmacy at the University of Colorado Anschutz, Skaggs School of Pharmacy. Shelby currently serves as the President of The American Society of Consultant Pharmacy and the Vice President of The Academy Managed Care Pharmacy providing education and outreach events. She has participated in a Story Telling program at the Colorado State Veterans Nursing Home and the Medication Management Counseling Program for Medicare Monday with the Colorado Gerontological Society. She has a 3.88 GPA with an expected graduation date of May 2022.
The Colorado Gerontological Society is proud to present a $1000 Henry Welch Scholarship to Shelby Hafner.
Carson De Fries
University of Denver
Graduate School of Social Work
Expected Graduation May 2024
Carson De Fries is enrolled in the doctorate program at the University of Denver School of Social Work. She is pursuing a concentration in Aging Services and Policy. She has interned at the Administration on Aging for Region IIIV, the federal agency that has oversight for the Older Americans Act. She is currently employed at the Knobel Institute for Healthy Aging coordinating research and evaluation efforts for the community-based intergenerational programs in the Denver area. She has worked extensively in intergenerational programming. She plans to research the intergenerational tensions and different types of ageism, the root causes, and impacts of these based beliefs, and how view of aging and older adults differ across cultures. She has a 4.00 GPA with an expected graduation date of June 2024.
The Colorado Gerontological Society is proud to present a $1000 Henry Welch Scholarship to Carson De Fries.
