Howlin' Mad Smith Detachment #592 Scholarship Page

Howlin' Mad Smith Detachment Scholarship Program

The Howlin' Mad Smith MCL Detachment #592 sponsors two scholarship funds. One at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and one at the University of Montevallo. At UAB, The Howlin' Mad Smith Detachment of the Marine Corps League Sponsored Scholarship is based on the academic achievement of current full-time UAB students who are current or former members of the U.S. Marine Corps. To be considered, students must demonstrate leadership in their community, have a cumulative UAB grade point average of 2.5 or higher and be enrolled in a regular degree-granting program at UAB. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents to receive this award.

Two scholarships are awarded.

• The award is $1000.
• The deadline to apply is Feb 1st for the following academic year.
• The applicant must be a current or former member of the United States Marine Corps.
• Must supply a copy of DD214 Discharge Form or Certificate of Service.
• And must submit an essay describing how the applicant's time in the military influenced his/hers educational and career goals.

The 2nd scholarship is available at the University of Montevallo. It is called The Marine Corps League Veteran's Scholarship. The H.M. Smith MCL Detachment #592 Scholarship fund established this university scholarship in memory of Dr. Eugene Sledge to help U.S. Marine Corps Veterans who are students at the University of Montevallo. Two annual awards are available in the amount of $500 each and may be applied toward the awarding Fall semester or split between the awarding Fall and Spring semesters. Awards can be renewed up to a total of four years.

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Recipients must be a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
2. Recipients must provide verification to the university that he/she is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Example of verification includes: DD214, military transcript, or current military ID.
3. Priority given to a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. If a U.S. Marine Corps veteran does not apply, the scholarship may be awarded to a child of a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
4. Recipients must be accepted to and have an intent to enroll at the University of Montevallo.

2025 University of Alabama at Birmingham Scholarship Recipient

Howlin' Mad Smith Scholar Vaity Tamez is presently serving as a United States Marine Reserve Lance Corporal, MOS 3531 in Kilo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment in Huntsville Alabama and is now a senior attending UAB majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Psychology. Post graduation, Lcpl Tamez will pursue a Masters Degree in Public Health with a concentration in Outcomes Research. Following a Masters Degree, she will attend medical school and will study to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.

Lcpl Vaity Tamez' US Marine Corps service, leadership, character, and integrity made her a standout candidate for this scholarship award. Marine Tamez' proud parents, Ben and Yssell Tamez' hometown is Albertville, AL.

This scholarship award exhibits the Marine Corps motto “Semper Fidelis” meaning always faithful, always loyal and able to count on your fellow Marines – while in the Marine Corps and for a lifetime. The “Howlin' Mad” Smith Detachment scholarship has awarded UAB Marine students over 21 years, supporting a total of fifteen Marines at UAB with achieving their college degree.

L to R: “Howlin' Mad” Smith Commandant Roy Adkins, John Hilmer, 2025 UAB Marine Corps League scholarship award US Marine Lance Corporal Vaity Tamez, Dad Ben Tamez, Past Alabama State Commandant Mike Ryan (UAB Alumni).

When you donate to the Marine Corps League Scholarship, you:

• Give to a Marine student without any fees being deducted. 100% of the proceeds are given to the Marine.
• Partner with UAB and the Marine Corps League to make an impact on a Marine Student.
• The Birmingham Marine Corps League is a 501(c)4 organization that citizens, Veterans and alumni can donate directly to the scholarship fund with a tax deductible donation to the university or Marine Corps League paymaster. There are NO administrative fees; every penny donated goes directly to the Marine students. The Marine Corps League and University do not take ANY donations fee of ANY kind.

To donate to the Marine Corps League scholarship fund contact:

Matthew Porter
Project Manager II, Office of VP for UAB Advancement
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
AB 1270C | 1720 2nd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-0112
Ph: 205-934-3686 | [email protected]

Donation checks can be sent to:
UAB Gift Records AB 1230
1720 2nd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-0112
Memo line: Howlin' Mad Smith Scholarship

Donations can also be made online at: https://go.uab.edu/mclscholarship

Or mail to Birmingham Marine Corps League Paymaster:

“Howlin' Mad” Smith Detachment #592
Attn: John Hilmer
1529 4th St NW
Birmingham, AL 35215
Make Checks or Money Orders Payable to: Marine Corps League Det. #592
Memo Line: MCL / UAB Scholarship

Marine Corps League Scholarship Program

The Marine Corps League Foundation provides scholarships to children and grandchildren of Marines, as well as to active duty Marines and veterans pursuing higher education. The Howlin' Mad Smith Detachment #592 supports and promotes these scholarship opportunities for our members and their families.