West Virginia University faculty who have created or reconfigured courses to advance women’s studies on campus may apply for an endowment up to $4,000 that carries the name of a pioneer educator in that field from WVU .

Proposals to the 2006 Judith Gold Stitzel Endowment for Excellence in Women’s Studies Teaching and Learning will be accepted through 4 p.m. March 8.

Stitzel is regarded as WVU ‘sfounding motherof women’s studies.

She’s a professor emerita of English who became the first coordinator of WVU ’s women’s studies program in 1980. She was also the first director of the University’s Center for Women’s Studies, overseeing operations from 1984-92.

Any faculty member from any discipline may apply. The application form is available online athttp://www.as.wvu.edu/wmst/app_stitzel.htm.

The recipient will be notified April 7 and formally recognized at the Center for Women’s Studies Honors Weekend on April 22.

For more information, contact Barbara Howe, the director of the Center for Women’s Studies, at barbara.howe@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-2339 ext. 1155.

The center is part of WVU ’s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.