Student Resources

The DeEbony Groves Social Work Diversity Endowed Scholarship is an annual award designed to support the education of a Belmont Social Work major and contribute to the continued development of a diverse community of learners.

The diversity award was first distributed in the academic year 2014-2015, and in May of 2018 the name of the scholarship was changed to the DeEbony Groves Social Work Diversity Scholarship. The name was changed in honor and memory of one of our beloved student social work majors, DeEbony Groves. DeEbony’s life was taken too soon, but it is our hope and prayer that this award in her name will enable future students to achieve some of the same goals DeEbony had set for herself, particularly in the areas of appreciating, honoring and respecting diversity in all its dimensions.

This annual award is made possible due to the donations of alumni and other friends of the department who are committed to increasing diversity and awareness of diversity, and who want to honor DeEbony’s memory in this way.

Students who are interested in seeking the award will apply in the fall semester of each academic year. The application consists of a few brief demographic questions and an essay regarding the student's understanding of the importance of diversity in our profession.

The application for the award and the date it is due are released by October of each academic year. In accordance with university policy, we are unable to award the scholarship to a University College student.

2021-2022 Recipient: Shamari Davis

In 1996, Richard Fallis, then Dean of the School of Humanities and Education, established the Louise Carter Fallis award in social work to honor the memory of his mother. Mrs. Fallis felt a calling to Christian service and work with the poor. Following that calling, she earned a graduate degree in Christian Education and Social Work. She then served the Baptist Sunday School Board writing curriculum materials and teaching in a seminary extension program.

Although she was never employed as a social worker, Mrs. Fallis gave tirelessly to programs for social justice. Dr. Fallis remembers at the height of the Civil Rights era while he was a teenager, he and his family were passing through Montgomery, Alabama and happened to visit the State Capitol. At that point, George Wallace had said Martin Luther King, Jr. would never set foot in the place. In the governor's office, there was a visitor's book in which Mrs. Fallis promptly signed Dr. King's name. When the young Richard Fallis looked a little startled, Mrs. Fallis whispered to her son, 'That'll give George something new to worry about'.

It is with that spirit of social justice and caring that each year we honor the outstanding social work graduate with this award. Along with that, we thank Dr. Fallis and his family for this award. We are honored that the award is continuing even though Dr. Fallis is no longer at Belmont University. We wish him well in his work at Mercer University.

2021 Recipient: Elia Despradel

For the past several years, the Department of Social Work has been pleased to be the recipient of the generosity of Jan and Elaine Williams of Knoxville, Tennessee. Dr. and Mrs. Williams have a long history of giving to Belmont. Their daughter is a graduate of the Department of Social Work at Belmont and is now better known to students as Professor Julie Hunt, Director of Field Education.

The Williams Award is given annually to between two and three students who have been identified as having great potential in the profession, and who consistently demonstrate the values of our profession in and out of the classroom.

2021 Honorees: Lizzy Bowen, Laurel Flaherty, Garrett Lee

Awarded annually to students in the College of Health Sciences, with demonstrated financial need, who exhibit academic excellence and are most eager and passionate about being part of leading change.