The Ted Greenberg Memorial Scholarship in Creative Writing presents a $1000 award to a newly admitted Creative Writing MFA graduate student who has strong qualifications for success in the graduate program. The applicant must be a member of at least one of the following communities.
- First-generation graduate student
- Non-native English speaker
- Nontraditional college age student
- A member of a community currently underrepresented among published writers in the United States
How to Apply
Submit the following materials to the Creative Writing MFA Program Director (Terry.Thaxton@ucf.edu) by the application deadline.
- The Ted Greenberg Memorial Scholarship Application Form.
- Your curriculum vitae (CV).
- The Statement of Purpose from your MFA application, which should include your academic and professional goals.
- A signed release form.
Recipients will be selected by the Creative Writing MFA faculty and/or the Department Awards Committee.
Application Form Scholarship Recipient Release Form
Ted Greenberg’s Legacy and Contributions to the Orlando Writing Community
Ted Greenberg was a significant member of the Orlando writing community. As a graduate of Belhaven College, Rollins College, and the University of Central Florida English/Creative Writing MFA program, he was well-acquainted with many circles of local writers. Ted maintained this community by frequenting readings around town, attending writing-related events hosted by the Orange County Library System, and supporting book launches with his enthusiastic presence. He earned a reputation as a reliable attendee to any literary event, genuinely eager to connect with others and share stories.
His inquisitive nature, which balanced both skepticism and bemusement, was something Ted brought to all aspects of his life – from his service as an administrative coordinator for UCF’s Academic Affairs department to his volunteer work with his church community to his consistent participation in local literary events.
Members of Ted’s writing group—comprised of UCF MFA graduates and Orlando community members alike—remember him especially for his wit and keen attention to detail. Ted’s excellent feedback was sharpened, no doubt, by his time as a writing consultant at both Rollins and UCF, and as an English Composition instructor at the International Academy of Design and Technology. However, what made his feedback especially valuable was how he shared his knowledge and experience—through confidently asking uncomfortable questions.
Ted challenged his fellow writers to be brave and bold and honest in their writing, and he modeled that standard in the writing he produced. In quick responses to timed prompts, Ted would craft diverse, multifaceted characters with strong, distinct voices grounded in lush, vibrant settings. In his more polished work, he explored issues of injustice, desire, repair, and reconciliation. Even months after his cancer diagnosis—as the radiation and chemo took their brutal toll—the writing Ted produced was sharp and strong and had so much potential.
Ted’s passing was a substantial loss for Orlando’s writing community. We commemorate his legacy with this memorial scholarship, intended to support aspiring writers from underserved communities. We hope this assistance helps these up-and-coming writers become strong new voices in the Orlando community, bringing much-needed perspectives to the writing of others.