Introducing the recipients of the 2008 Dorothy Harris Scholarship
By Kory Moore
The Dorothy Harris Endowed Scholarship was established in September 1990 by the Women’s Sports Foundation to honor Dr. Dorothy Harris—a teacher, leader and pioneer in women’s sports for more than 40 years. Dr. Harris promoted the positive benefits of participation in sports and battled for equal sporting opportunities for young girls and women throughout her lifetime as an athlete, coach, official, author, professor and researcher.
The scholarship supports the college education of female masters and doctoral students focusing in one of the following areas: physical education, sport management, sport psychology or sport sociology. Each applicant is evaluated based on her career goals, grade point average, financial need, research studies and sport participation and/or influence.
This year’s recipients of the Dorothy Harris Endowed Scholarship, who will each receive $1,500 toward continuing their education, are Jessica Toglia and Julie Powell.
Jessica Toglia is pursuing a master’s degree in sport studies at Miami University of Ohio. Her goal is to use sport as a platform for social change in the specific areas of gender equality, homophobia and racism. Toglia claims that sport has been a major influence in her life, enabling the development of vital life skills such as time management and teamwork. She has been involved in managing community events such as the Girls’ Sports Festival and intends to continue initiating and facilitating the existence of events with a tantamount social impact. 
Julie Powell is pursuing a doctorate in sport management at North Central University, Arizona. Her aspirations include serving as an effective educator and supportive advisor to females in leadership positions in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Through working in the athletic department at Union University, Powell found her niche in sports information and teaching. Powell feels that participation in sports and physical activity is an essential element of our society and, therefore, maintains that every person be afforded the opportunity to participate.
Thanks to all the applicants who applied for the Dorothy Harris Endowed Scholarship. The deadline for the 2008-2009 academic year application is December 31, 2008.