The Evelyn Barclay Scholarship is given with a preference to a doctoral applicant studying public health, nursing education, or research.

Evelyn Barclay held a degree in public health nursing and an M.S. in Nursing Education. Ms. Barclay dedicated her life to building the profession of nursing by increasing the number of bachelor prepared nurses. She was the founding director of the Cal State Los Angeles program in nursing. She came to the Cal State campus in 1957 from UCLA, where she served as associate dean of nursing. She built a faculty noted for its skill in teaching as well as clinical practice. The initial program was designed to advance junior-year students holding an R.N. license at the associate degree level to the BSN. Beginning in 1959, the curriculum expanded to four years, the department under Evelyn's leadership developed a four-year generic program leading freshman students directly to the BSN and eligibility for taking the R.N. state licensing exam. She earned an Outstanding Professor Award in 1968. Evelyn Barclay died on April 20, 2006 in Newburgh, New York, where she had moved when she retired from the Cal State faculty in 1969.