The award is funded by former graduate students in audiology and is designated for an outstanding graduate student majoring in audiology. Nomination is made by the audiology faculty with selection by the entire department faculty. There are four annual graduate fellowships funded by the Scottish Rite Foundation of South Dakota that are designated for South Dakota graduate students who are judged by the faculty to have a potential for high achievement in the USD Communication Disorders Graduate Program. A grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required. Employment in South Dakota following graduation is encouraged but not required.
Students apply and selection of the four recipients is made by the department faculty.
This award is named in honor of Mrs. Lily Tjomsland, one of the first speech and language clinicians in South Dakota. Mrs. Tjomsland, who is dedicated to the educational preparation of young clinicians for South Dakota, has funded this annual scholarship for many years. The award is designated for a freshman, sophomore, or junior majoring in communication disorders. Requires familiarization work in the Speech and Hearing Center. Students apply for the award and the selection is made by the faculty.