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Dan & Denise Thompson McLeod Scholarship

The Dan & Denise Thompson McLeod Scholarship is a competitively awarded scholarship which is available to undergraduate and graduate students with orthopedic disabilities who attend the University of West Florida (UWF). An orthopedic disability is defined as severe skeletal, muscular, or neuromuscular impairment.

Five students in commencement regalia on campus

Scholarship Information

Important: read and retain a copy of your application and supporting documents for your records

Deadline for application materials to be received by the University of West Florida:
June 12, 2023

It is with great love and hope that we introduce you to William Daniel (Danny) McLeod, Jr. Danny had an outgoing, engaging personality and enjoyed life to the fullest. Many knew him as a dear friend, a devoted member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church, a great neighbor, and a loving husband and father. Some knew him as an outstanding photographer. Until he decided to give it up, Danny was one of the most sought after wedding photographers in Pensacola.

For the last 25 years of his life Danny (Dan as his UWF colleagues called him) was employed with the University of West Florida. In his last position he was Coordinator of Computer Systems in the Information Technology Services department. In this position Dan was responsible for managing the software application that supported the Internet based educational programs of the university.

In late 2001, Danny was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Danny continued to work long after his diagnosis and showed tremendous courage and determination as his disease gradually took away his ability to function. He found unique and clever means to overcome many of his growing disabilities and he never lost the ability to make us smile. He was truly an inspiration to those who knew him and especially those who worked with him.

The Dan & Denise Thompson McLeod Scholarship was founded to remember Danny McLeod, to honor Denise McLeod as his caregiver, and to offer help to students who are living with an orthopedic disability. We understand the special challenges facing many disabled students and our hope is to lessen the financial challenge.

Our only request is that the recipients of the Dan & Denise Thompson McLeod Scholarship strive to be a positive example and inspiration to every student and employee of the University of West Florida. Please continue Danny’s legacy of hard work and unbreakable spirit.

Denise & Kylie McLeod

Application Requirements and Considerations

Minimum Requirements

To be eligible to apply for the Dan & Denise Thompson McLeod Scholarship, a student must:

  • Have a minimum 2.5 GPA for undergraduate students or a minimum 3.0 GPA for graduate students.
  • Have a documented orthopedic disability on record with the UWF SAR or their current high school.
  • Be a citizen of the United States.

Grade point average and disability will be verified by the UWF SAR.

Submissions

In order to be considered the application must include:

  • A completed Dan & Denise Thompson McLeod Scholarship Application Form for the current award year.
  • A personal statement pertaining to your achievements, activities, career goals and the effects of your disability(ies).
  • Two (2) letters of reference addressing your academic success and potential.

Application Deadline

Application, personal statement, and letters of reference must be received by UWF SAR no later than June 12, 2023.

Scholarship Award Process

  • Notification to all current students registered with SAR regarding the Dan & Denise Thompson McLeod Scholarship for the upcoming Fall term is emailed in mid-March.
  • An introductory letter and applications are emailed to local high schools and community colleges.
  • A folder is created for all applicants who return required documents.
  • A checklist is created for each folder.
  • Selected recipient is emailed a letter of award and acceptance form.
  • The Dan & Denise Thompson McLeod Scholarship Selection Committee will meet 1-2 times a year. The first meeting will consist of a review of all candidate applications meeting the minimum criteria. The second meeting may consist of an interview with the top candidates.
  • The Selection Committee will consist of two voting representatives from the UWF ITS Department and one voting representative from the Financial Aid Office. Also on the committee, as non-voting members, may be one or more representatives from the family of Dan McLeod, and a representative from Student Accessibility Resources.
  • All applicants will be notified of their status as a Dan & Denise Thompson McLeod Scholarship recipient. Notification letters will be e-mailed by the second week of August to the e-mail address specified on the Dan & Denise McLeod Scholarship Application Form.

Conditions of Award

Students awarded the Dan & Denise Thompson McLeod Scholarship agree to:

  • Complete and return an acceptance form by the date specified in the notification letter. Failure to return the acceptance form by the specified date will result in forfeiture of the award.
  • Receive an invitation to meet the family of Dan McLeod at the University’s annual scholarship luncheon.
  • Undergraduate students will be required to complete a minimum of nine (9) credit hours each semester and graduate students will be required to complete a minimum of six (6) credit hours each semester. The scholarship will be discontinued if the scholarship recipient fails to meet the minimum credit hour requirement.
  • Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average if an undergraduate student.
  • Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average if a graduate student.
  • Recipient should contact SAR in the event health problems or other extenuating circumstances affect the individual's ability to maintain the minimum scholarship criteria.

Award Payment

After verification of enrollment, the University of West Florida will disburse the award equally over the fall and spring semesters to the eligible Dan & Denise Thompson McLeod Scholarship recipient. The dollar amount of the award is contingent upon available funds.

For more information contact Student Accessibility Resources by visiting the office located in Building 21 or calling 850.474.2387.

To request this page or any information referenced on the page in an alternative format, please email sar@uwf.edu.