The Ethel Carlisle Southern Scholarship was established in 1985 by her husband, J. Albert Southern, and their children, Tom and Janet Southern Huskey and John L. Southern, in recognition of her service as a librarian at Greenville Woman's College. Mrs. Southern received her B.A. degree from Greenville Woman's College and an M.S. in Library Science from Pratt School of Library Science in New York. She worked at a number of libraries including the New York Public Library, Samford University, Greenville Woman's College and Furman University. She also served as an elementary school librarian for the Greenville County School District.

The scholarship is given annually to a senior or a Furman graduate who has been accepted into, or is enrolled in, an American Library Association accredited graduate program. Renewable once, but preference is given to new recipients. Applications are accepted in the spring semester.