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Erin Kramp The Erin Tierney Kramp
Encouragement Scholarship Program

In 1994, Erin Tierney Kramp was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33. From almost the moment of her diagnosis, Erin decided to fight cancer head-on.

Erin began by searching for medical specialists - often calling and flying all over the country to seek their knowledge and advice. She studied alternative treatment plans and examined state of the art, sometimes unproved methods, to battle this horrible disease. Erin's tenacity often frustrated her medical doctors and sometimes resulted in seeking new ones who were not threatened by her style and were up to the challenge Erin demanded. With no manual to guide her, she set her own course.

Erin embarked on a very aggressive treatment plan and over the next few years faced one medical adversity after another - her body often shutting down while her mind continued to race forward. Erin never shied away from her challenge - always demonstrating tremendous courage, perseverance and spirituality.

Throughout this difficult struggle, Erin touched many lives and was an inspiration to those who knew her and to millions of strangers who either read her book, Living with the End in Mind, or saw her on national television programs such as 20/20 and The Oprah Winfrey Show. She was also featured on the national broadcast of James Dobson's Focus on the Family radio show.

Supporting Erin throughout this period was her husband, Douglas Kramp, their daughter, Peyton and numerous family and friends.

Although she lost her battle against cancer, Erin's legacy won't stop with her daughter. Before she died, Erin's professional peers established the Erin Tierney Kramp Encouragement Foundation in her honor. In February 1999, the Foundation established a permanent scholarship endowment with the Dallas County Community College District Foundation. The Erin Tierney Kramp Encouragement Scholarship Award will provide a full tuition scholarship to students who have demonstrated courage and perseverance in the face of adversity as exemplified by Erin Tierney Kramp.

The Erin Tierney Kramp program awards scholarships to students based upon their courage and perseverance in the face of adversity. Eligible applicants include high school seniors who will graduate in the spring and current Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) students. High school students named as Erin Tierney Kramp recipients will receive a scholarship for tuition and books for up to four semesters. Community college students named as Erin Tierney Kramp Scholars, who maintain program requirements, will receive a scholarship for tuition and books for the remaining semesters of the two-year program. The Erin Tierney Kramp Scholarship award may be used ONLY at one of the seven DCCCD Colleges.

 

Amount of Award
High school students named as Erin Tierney Kramp recipients will receive a scholarship for tuition and books for up to four semesters. Selected DCCCD community college students will receive a scholarship for tuition and books for the remainder of the two-year program.

 

Number of Awards Per Year
Varies, as per available funds (usually 2 per year).


Designated College
Any of the seven DCCCD colleges.

 

Eligibility Criteria
  • Perseverance - Student must exemplify courage and perseverance in the face of hardship or adversity;
  • Scholarship - Moral character with leadership and scholarship qualities as evidenced by high academic standards;
  • A high school diploma.

 

Application Process
Applicants must submit the following to the DCCCD Foundation:
  • Complete Erin Tierney Kramp scholarship application;
  • Complete DCCCD Foundation scholarship application form;
  • One-page (minimum) essay describing the type of hardship and adversity you have overcome that would make you a deserving applicant for this award. Please note: Because you are applying for this scholarship, financial assistance is already considered and met as a hardship for all applicants. Other adversities need to be shared in your essay;
  • Two letters of recommendation. High school students: counselor, principal, teacher, clergy, etc. DCCCD students: faculty member, counselor, clergy, etc;
  • High school or college transcript.

 

Selection Process
Kramp Mentors
Recipients are selected by the Board of Directors of the Erin Tierney Kramp Encouragement Foundation. Board members of the Kramp Foundation will serve as mentors so that Kramp Scholars will receive the maximum benefits from this special scholarship. Those chosen as Erin Tierney Kramp recipients will be notified by letter.

 

Recipient Requirements
Recipients must maintain a high academic standard throughout their college career (3.0 GPA) and successfully complete a minimum of 8 credit hours per semester. Failure to meet these requirements could result in a reduction or loss of scholarship benefits.

Recipients are also expected to maintain a commitment to the program and its goals and to attend Erin Tierney Kramp Scholar Events.

 

Deadline
First Friday in April.

 

Download the scholarship application in PDF format.
If you need help downloading PDF files, please click here.

Learn more about current Erin Tierney Kramp Scholarship Recipients.

Learn more about the Erin Teirney Kramp Encouragement Foundation board.

For further information, contact the Director of Board and Donor Relations
214-378-1536 or 214-378-1531
DCCCD Foundation, Inc., 1601 South Lamar, Dallas, Texas 75215-1816
Updated 03/05/08

March 2008