The Marcia Katz Scholarship Award
The Knoxville Association of Women Executives (KAWE) annually awards the Marcia Katz Scholarship to a woman scholar of promise who shows an interest in continuing her education and in developing as a professional in a field of her choice. Marcia Katz was the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Tennessee. To honor her contributions in nuclear engineering research, teaching, and public service, KAWE has named and awarded this scholarship in her honor since 1990.
Scholarship recipients receive a cash award. See the Applications button below for current information on how to apply.
Eligibility is limited to women who
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- Have completed at least one semester at a 4-year accredited college
- Are currently enrolled to take classes as an undergraduate
- Are available for an interview if requested
- Provide an official copy of a current college transcript
- Provide contact information for two references
- Are not an immediate family member of a KAWE member
- Meet the deadline for receipt of applications
About Marcia Katz
Dr. E. Marcia Katz was an active KAWE member and the first woman to earn a mechanical engineering degree from UT (1975). After working for a national lab near Paris, France, Katz became the first female faculty member at the UT College of Engineering, where she taught, conducted research, and retired in 1985 as an associate professor of nuclear engineering. In 1985, she worked for Senator Jim Sasser, Washington DC, and returned in 1995 as a White House fellow advising the Clinton Administration on scientific and technological matters. Her recognition in 1978-79 as the Lily Fellow for Improving Undergraduate Teaching initiated a long list of honors and achievements, inspiring the KAWE scholarship, which we award in her name. Click HERE to read a tribute from Emma Bea Stallings, who read this tribute at Dr. Katz’ life celebration held by KAWE members in Knoxville. Click HERE to read a tribute from Thomas W. Broadhead, Ph.D., Professor and Director of Undergraduate Academic Advancement, UTK, a friend and colleague of Dr. Katz. Click HERE to read her obit.
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Kelli Determan Winner of the 2022 KAWE Marcia Katz Scholarship
The winner of the 2022 KAWE Marcia Katz Scholarship award of $2,500 is Kelli Determan, a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering with an Honors Concentration and a minor in Leadership Studies at the Tickle College of Engineering. Despite taking Honors Courses, she maintains a 4.0 grade point average.
Kelli’s overall career goal is to become an electrical engineer in the private sector to produce cleaner power and decrease the cost of electricity for consumers.
She also actively gives back to her campus community through her involvement in numerous extra- and co-curricular activities.
For example, Kelli founded a STEM Sorority on campus and was active in the Society of Women Engineers Peer Mentor program.
Kelli has had co-ops and internship experiences with the Eastman Chemical Coal Gas Plant and Duke Energy.
Throughout her time at UT, Kelli has made the campus a better place for other students—but especially in helping women who are pursuing degrees in engineering. She is involved in creating a strong support system for these women —both in the classroom and in professional development.
The 2022 Scholarship Committee presenting the award to Kelli: from left to right, Susan Fowlkes and Rader Hayes, co-chairs, and Stacy Palado. Below, Rader Hayes reads the winner’s statement at the September luncheon, with Alexia Georghiou, president, on the right
