Gordon Thomas Memorial Scholarship

Purpose
Gordon “Don” Thomas, animator and filmmaker, earned the first Master of Fine Arts in Cinema, with an Animation emphasis, at San Francisco State University in June of 2001. He designed his own program concentrating in 2D and 3D computer animation and 3D stop motion. Don was also an instructor at SF State teaching beginning and advanced animation classes. With this scholarship, Don’s family and friends seek to honor Don’s memory and promote his values: creativity, diligence, inspiration to others, and celebration of human diversity. In addition, the scholarship is intended to promote Don’s commitment to learning, his love for teaching and his belief that we need to hear each other’s voices to make a difference.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Must be currently enrolled at SF State and be either a junior, senior or graduate student in cinema or in the animation emphasis.
2. Must enroll at San Francisco State University as a full-time student with at least 12 units undergraduate or 9 units graduate for the Fall 2009 semester.
3. Write a personal statement (typed, double-spaced, not to exceed three pages) describing your financial need, your creativity and diligence to the subject matter, how you inspire others around you in the world of cinema, the seriousness of your approach and how your work speaks to diversity.
4. Submit animation samples on DVD. Please include:
   
   1. Samples of your best most complete work AND
   2. One sample of your animated work in progress which this scholarship will help fund
5. Submit or mail all items together: application, personal statement, and samples of work to the Cinema Department Office, FA 245.

Procedures

Completed applications that meet the above criteria and are received or postmarked by the May 1st deadline will be reviewed by faculty members and select students will then be nominated for final review by the scholarship committee. Students selected to receive scholarships will be notified at the Animation Finals on May 15, 2009.

Return applications to:
San Francisco State University
Cinema Department
Gordon Thomas Memorial Scholarship
1600 Holloway Avenue, FA 245
San Francisco, CA 94132-4011

Between mid-May & March, the application is for reference ONLY. Applications & all other materials received during this period will be thrown away
Gordon Thomas Scholarship Application - PDF