Eleanor Parks Gaunder Memorial Endowed Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established by the faculty of the University of North Alabama Department of English to honor the memory of Dr. Eleanor Parks Gaunder. For over twenty-six years, Dr. Gaunder was a valued friend, an esteemed colleague , and an indispensable mentor to the faculty of the Department of English at the University of North Alabama. Her remarkable dedication to her students, to the Department of English, and to the University of North Alabama was quickly recognized by anyone who had a conversation with her.
Dr. Gaunder’s forty-year teaching career took her to Menlo Atherton High School, Atherton, California, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, and, finally, to the University of North Alabama.
During her tenure at the University of North Alabama, Eleanor received many honors, including the Phi Kappa Phi Award for teaching excellence. An important characteristic for any successful teacher, of course, is the ability to encourage students to do their best. One group of students that Eleanor particularly encouraged was returning women students. She felt a connection to all of her students, but she had an affinity for women students who returned to graduate student after a pause in their formal education, having followed a similar path herself. Dr. Gaunder retired as Professor Emerita of English in 2005.
Recipients of this scholarship shall be enrolled as full time students who are resuming their education after an absence of at least five years and preference shall be accorded to women.