James Dupree Scholarship Endowment

James Dupree was an art student at UNF who contracted leukemia after his first year of study. He continued to attend classes when he was in remission during his four and a half year struggle with the disease that finally took his life in April 2022.

The intermittent threat of death intensified James' appreciation for his world, his friends, his family and his art. Against the advice of most of his doctors, James gained approval to attend a UNF art study program in Italy during a summer when his health was unstable. Even though he was twice forced to receive overnight blood infusions in Italian hospitals to maintain his strength, James seldom missed an activity and wholeheartedly fell in love with the art, architecture and culture of the country.

James' experience in Italy with the UNF Art & Art History Study Abroad Program transformed him. His place in the world expanded, became enriched, and hardwired to a deeper, more meaningful sense of time. His UNF professors guided his study, accommodated his needs and encouraged his bright spirit. For the rest of his shortened life, James strove to hone his artistic skills, express his love in his art and enjoy the gifts each day presented to him. He became a blessing to many as he, even when facing severe hardship, generously shared his life’s blessings with them.

The James Dupree Scholarship Endowment has been created by James’ father, James Dupree III, together with gifts from his friends, his family and the Hall-Halliburton Foundation. The scholarship will support studio art majors who wish to participate in study abroad program organized by the UNF Department of Art, Art History, and Design.

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of the gift is to provide study abroad scholarship funding for University of North Florida students.

Selection Criteria

The Donor has determined that eligible students must:

• meet admissions requirements and be accepted to the University of North Florida,
• be a declared studio arts major in the Department of Art, Art History and Design (Painting & Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Ceramics and Photography),
• submit a response to the personal statement prompt (refer to Appendix),
• have a UNF-approved study abroad program organized by the Department of Art, Art History and Design to be completed prior to their final semester, with first preference to a program in Italy, and
• be selected by a committee of faculty from the Department of Art, Art History and Design.

Student Responsibility

Students awarded this scholarship must also agree to:

• comply with all University regulations, rules and codes of conduct governing students on campus,
• consent to release grades to the Division of Development and Alumni Engagement for the purpose of reporting to the Donor, and
• remain in good standing as a student.

Renewal

No student will be eligible to receive more than one study abroad scholarship award. The amount of the award will be determined by the fund manager, but it cannot exceed the maximum cost of tuition, fees, books, campus housing, meal plan, transportation and miscellaneous expenses, as reflected in the annual “Cost of Education” budget prepared by the Financial Aid Office. This funding will come from a combination of financial aid sources in compliance with Federal Title IV regulations and the James Dupree Scholarship funds.