Loading ...By Charmen Rider
Goodwell, Okla. — The Panhandle State Foundation is committed to assisting Oklahoma Panhandle State University financially above and beyond state funding, particularly through scholarships. The Foundation awarded 184 scholarships to OPSU students for the 2009-2010 year totaling over $146,000. The 2009 commitment to OPSU was for $113,000 to be used for academic and sports-related scholarships.
The list of available scholarships for the 2010-2011 year can be picked up at the Foundation Office on the OPSU campus or downloaded from www.opsu.edu. Applications will be accepted from December 1, 2009 through March 1, 2010. For more information please call 349-1392.
Following is a list of the most recent scholarship additions:
Dr. John W. Goodwin Memorial Scholarship An endowed scholarship was established in April of 2009 in memory of Dr. John W. Goodwin, a 1956 PAMC graduate who passed away in October of 2008. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Goodwin was given the “Outstanding Teacher Award” by his students at OSU. He served Oklahoma as Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture and Executive Director of Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS), and then in Washington, DC as Associate Administrator of ASCS during the Carter Administration. Dr. Goodwin was the Vice President for Agriculture at the University of Arkansas before serving as President of OPSU until his retirement in 2002. The Dr. John W. Goodwin Memorial Scholarship is for an OPSU freshman with a 23 ACT score or a 3.0 GPA or higher. Preference is given to Ag-Business or History majors from within a 250-mile radius of OPSU who has need and/or shows merit.
Leon Yell Memorial Scholarship
The Guymon Elks Lodge #1885 established two Leon Yell Memorial Golf Scholarships from proceeds from the annual Leon Yell Memorial Golf Tournament. These scholarships will be given annually to OPSU students from the Oklahoma Panhandle or surrounding area that participate in the OPSU Golf program. One will be given to a female student on the OPSU Women’s Golf Team and one will be given to a male student on the OPSU Men’s Golf Team.
Margaret Wright Scholarship
The Margaret Wright Scholarship was endowed in June of 2009. Margaret Wright graduated from PAMC in 1945. Ms. Wright was a driver’s education instructor for 22 years then an Assistant to Oklahoma Governor, Brad Hall, advising on Highway Traffic Safety for six years. She later designed, supervised, and administered the Driver’s Education Programs for all state high schools. She retired in 1986 after 38 years of service dedicated to education, but remains active. She was honored as a Distinguished Contributor in 2007 and currently serves on the Panhandle State Foundation Board of Directors. This scholarship is based on need.
Paul Wayne Ritchie Memorial Scholarship
The Paul Wayne Ritchie Memorial Scholarship was endowed in August of 2009. Paul played college football for PAMC and graduated in 1955. He served in the military, and then coached and taught school in the Texas Panhandle. This memorial scholarship will benefit an education or social studies major who participates in sports, with preference given to football players. This scholarship is open to freshmen from Oklahoma with a 2.5 GPA or better and is renewable up to four years if eligibility is met.
Taylor-Reynolds-Hensley Memorial Nursing Scholarship
The Taylor-Reynolds-Hensley Memorial Nursing Scholarship was endowed through the Panhandle State Foundation in October of 2009. This scholarship is in memory of Reece William Taylor and Lois Lee Reynolds Taylor. The first scholarship will be awarded in 2010-2011 to a nursing student who meets the following criteria: accepted into the OPSU nursing program, is a United States citizen of the Christian faith, is over the age of 25, and has at least one child. Preference is given to single applicants and financial need is considered.
Russell E. McKinnon Scholarship
In October, the Russell E. McKinnon Scholarship was established. This scholarship will benefit a full time OPSU student who is a U.S. citizen with a minimum 2.5 GPA majoring in Education (who plans to teach) or HPER. Consideration is given to need and non-academic activities. Russ McKinnon is a 1973 graduate from Shelton, Conn. who played both football and baseball. He was also involved in a number of campus activities. He now lives in Punta Gorda, Florida.
