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Mary Ryan Social Work Scholarship Fund

In 2011, the Mary Ryan Social Work Scholarship Fund was established to help inspire others to lives of service through the pursuit of academic degrees in social work.

The Baylor Scott & White Mary Ryan Social Work Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to students pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in social work at one of the following Central Texas universities:

  • Texas A&M University - Central Texas
  • University of Mary Hardin Baylor
  • Baylor University
  • University of Texas at Austin

Award and Eligibility

Anyone anticipating enrollment in a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited Bachelor's or Master's program for the upcoming fall semester is eligible to apply. Applicants must be enrolled in a BSW or MSW program at the time the application is submitted.

The scholarship fund provides financial assistance for expenses directly related to social work school.

Each semester, the following scholarships are awarded:

  • Bachelor of Social Work (1): $500
  • Master of Social Work (2): $1,000

How to Apply

Applications are accepted between April 1 and April 30. An application will not be considered if it is postmarked after April 30, missing any items from the checklist and/or submitted with items not on the checklist.

In addition to the application, candidates should provide:

  • Photo of applicant (photo should not be older than one year and no larger than 4x6 inches)
  • Most recent academic transcript (unofficial is acceptable)
  • Professional reference as required
  • Recommendation from supervisor (for Baylor Scott & White Health employees only)

About Mary Ryan

Born into a farming family near Waco, Texas in 1920, Mary Ryan lived an enriched and full life by pouring herself out in service to others. She enlisted in the Women’s Army Corp in 1943 and spent 30 years in military service. Mary served on active duty for eight years and then in the reserves for another 22 years.

Her transition into the reserves happened concurrently with the enactment of the GI Bill, which allowed her to pursue her dream of college education. At the University of Maryland, she earned a degree in Psychology. Two years later she received a Masters of Social Work degree at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

After she finished her education, Mary set to work primarily in psychiatric social work assisting those with physical and mental handicaps. She spent 21 years in social work in California before moving back to Texas in 1978. In 1979, Mary’s sister was badly burned in an explosion in Arizona where she was hospitalized from February until June, at which point she was transported to Scott & White Healthcare in Temple for continued treatment.

The very next week Mary Ryan began what would become a lifetime of volunteer service to Scott & White. Over the next 30 years, Mary dedicated 30,000 hours of her time to assist others through our various volunteer programs, including hospice. In 2011, the Mary Ryan Memorial Social Work Annual Scholarship Fund was established to help inspire others to lives of service through the pursuit of academic degrees in social work.

Contact Us

Kevin Francis, MSSW, LCSW
Kevin.Francis@BSWHealth.org

Scott & White Medical Center - Temple
Department of Comprehensive Care Management
MS-20-D532
2401 S. 31st St.
Temple, TX 76508

Check out all of our programs in North and Central Texas