Scholarship Summaries

College of Arts & Sciences Scholarships

Elsie M. Buck Altrusa Scholarship

The Elsie M. Buck Altrusa Scholarship was established in 1984 the Altrusa Club of Boise. The Altrusa Club of Boise was a service organization of executive and professional women. The organization existed from 1923 until 2002. Their mission was to serve their community while developing individual leadership skills and friendships.

Martha S. Reese Vocal Scholarship

The Martha Reese Vocal Scholarship was established in 1978 in honor of the late Martha Reese. Martha took voice lessons in Salt Lake City while growing up. Her daughter said that her mother had a beautiful voice. Martha was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, the Columbian and the Amicus clubs, and a Relief Society teacher for 15 years.

Hatch Scholarship

The Hatch Scholarship was established in 1977 by Ada Hatch at the death of her husband. The late Ada Hatch joined the staff of Boise State at its founding in 1932. She led the Humanities Division from 1941 until her retirement in 1967. She chaired the President’s Advisory Board for over fifteen years. Gentle, gracious, and compassionate are just a few of the words used to describe how she treated both students and colleagues. She was also aggressive in tackling the problems of strong teachers; she prepared and offered an accelerated course which was a forerunner of the Honors Program. Active intellectually and in the community, Ada Hatch combined kindness with decisiveness and common sense.

William E. & Anne M. Martin English & Engineering Scholarship

The William E. & Anne M. Martin English & Engineering Scholarship was established in 1995 by Carol A. Martin to honor her mother and in memory of her father. The scholarship is awarded to both the Department of English and the College of Engineering.

Sarah Minckler Biology Scholarship

The Sarah Minckler Biology Scholarship was established in 1998 in memory of the late Sarah Minckler. Sarah was a senior at Boise State majoring in biology when she passed. During her time at Boise state she spent three weeks in the Owyhee desert doing biology research work and spent two weeks in Rome, Italy, and Istanbul, Turkey with a Boise State Tour. She had a love for the outdoors including fishing and camping.

Alan & Anne Hausrath Math Scholarship

The Alan & Anne Hausrath Math Scholarship was established in 2001 by Alan and Anne Hausrath. The scholarship was designed to help a student who is working towards a Masters in math. Alan was a respected math professor at Boise State University and wanted to be an encouragement to the future students of math.

The Delight Obenchain Endowed Scholarship in Philosophy

The Delight Obenchain Endowed Scholarship for Philosophy was established in 2009 by Tony and Gayle Roark in honor of Tony’s grandmother, Delight Obenchain. As former chair of the BSU Philosophy Department, Tony wanted to provide scholarships for women who are under-represented in philosophy while also paying homage to his grandmother, who was a strong and positive influence in his life.

College of Business & Economics Scholarships

Zonta-Ilene Bartlett Hill Business Scholarship

The Zonta-Ilene Bartlett Hill Business Scholarship was established in 2001 by the former Zonta Club of Boise. The Zonta Club of Boise was a chapter of Zonta International, a service organization whose mission is to advance the status of women locally and world-wide. Ilene Bartlett-Hill is and was a pioneer for women in Idaho, being one of the first female executive CPAs hired by a major corporation in Idaho in the 1960′s. Ilene was also a member of the Zonta Club of Boise for many decades.

Kenneth M. & Linda R. Jantz Scholarship Endowment

The Kenneth M. & Linda R. Jantz Scholarship Endowment was established in 2001 by Kenneth and Linda Jantz. Both Kenneth and Linda are Boise State graduates and they wanted to help other COBE students to pursue their educational goals.

R.G. Hemingway Financial Scholarship

The R.G. Hemingway Financial Scholarship was established in 1981 by a grant from the Robert G. Hemingway Private Foundation. The purpose of the grant is to provide scholarships in the School of Business, Department of Management and Finance, for women who are seeking careers in the banking industry. This generous action from the Robert G. Hemingway Private Foundation will provide recognition and significant encouragement for the purpose of attracting capable women to the banking field. Hemingway, who died in 1966, served as president of Idaho Bank and Trust and as president of the Utah-based Commercial Security Bank.

College of Education Scholarship

Annette Jeanine Ahrens Memorial Scholarship

The Annette Jeanine Ahrens Memorial Scholarship was established in 1990 by Steve and Pam Ahrens in memory of Steve’s daughter, Annette, who died in an automobile accident in May, 1989. Annette was a sophomore majoring in elementary education and art at Salisbury State University and had just achieved her first 4.0 GPA in the semester before her death. She was engaged to be married and planned to continue her studies at the University of Maryland in the fall. Annette was a talented painter and a gifted poet, both art forms in which she expressed her sensitivity and gentle nature. She had a natural knack with children, a mischievous and fun-loving spirit with their friends, and an easy-going confidence with adults. She had a mature “sense of self” about her and was devoid of false ego. She had wisdom beyond her years, enabling her to help her family and friends through some difficult times. She was wonderfully loving and was in turn loved more than words can express.

Kristi Anne Quong Memorial Scholarship

The Kristi Anne Quong Memorial Scholarship was established in 1986 by William and Lorice Quong in memory of their daughter. The scholarship is intended for an incoming freshman, preferably a female graduate from Meridian High School.

Charlotte Edkins PEO Scholarship

The Charlotte Edkins PEO Scholarship was established in 1993 by the Boise PEO Chapter. This scholarship is in memory of the late Charlotte Edkins, a beloved member of the Boise PEO Chapter. The PEO wished to honor Charlotte by assisting women in furthering their education.

Shirley Ann Hill Johnson Memorial Scholarship

The Shirley Ann Hill Johnson Memorial Scholarship was established in 2004 by Patricia Dorman to honor her good friend Shirley Ann Hill Johnson who tragically died in a car accident in Italy. Mrs. Dorman’s purpose for the scholarship is to help single parents who are at the junior or senior level of their education.

Jane Parkinson Excellence in Education Scholarship

The Jane Parkinson Excellence in Education Scholarship was established in 2007 in honor of the late Jane Parkinson. Jane worked for room and board just to complete her last three years of high school before receiving a scholarship to attend Utah State Agricultural College. She received her degree in elementary education and four grades in a one-room school house for half a year before traveling to Florida to marry Douglas Parkinson. Jane enjoyed volunteer work and for a decade was music outreach coordinator for Boise Tuesday Musicale. Family and friends were of primary importance in her life.

College of Engineering Scholarships

Harry W. Morrison Engineering Scholarship

The Harry W. Morrison Engineering Scholarship was established October 25, 2010 to further the efforts and legacy of Harry W. Morrison who in his prime created one of the world’s largest construction companies. Like Mr. Morrison, students receiving this scholarship will be men and women that will use their knowledge to change their world.

Charles Van Vacter Construction Management & Engineering Scholarship

The Charles Van Vacter Construction Management & Engineering scholarship was established in 1990 by Dale Van Vacter Angers. She wanted the scholarship to help students in the Construction Management program.

Robert R. & Barbara Dargatz Endowed Engineering Scholarship

The Robert R and Barbara Dargatz Endowed Engineering Scholarship was established in 2004 by Robert and Barbara Dargatz. Barbara Dargatz was a business teacher for 17 years before she moved to Hailey to serve as principal for the Wood River Junior High School. After retirement she continued to supervise student teachers in the Wood River Valley schools.

Hutchison Computer Science Scholarship

The Hutchinson Computer Science Scholarship was established in 2007 by Vanessa Hutchinson. Mrs. Hutchinson generously established the Hutchison Computer Science Scholarship to support students seeking science degrees at Boise State. “I think BSU has a good program, and it’s an important field of study to support, particularly during a time when people think that computer science jobs are outsourced. In reality, there is an increased need and demand for computer science in Idaho and throughout the United States,” she says. “It’s a good career field, and it has been very good for me; I want young people to have the same opportunity that I did.”

Keynetics Inc. Computer Science Scholarship

The Keynetics Inc. Computer Science Scholarship was established in 2009 by Eileen Langan Barber to encourage and support students, particularly women, to pursue computer science degrees. Eileen co-founded Keynetics Inc., an Idaho based parent corporation of software companies providing elegant but simple solutions ranging from internet retailing, to fraud screening to protect customers during online transactions. Eileen believes strongly in the value of mentoring, and knows that young women need role models and money to support their education.

College of Health Sciences Scholarships

Mary Van Vacter Nursing Scholarship

The Mary VanVacter Memorial Nursing Scholarship was established in 1990 by her daughter, Dale VanVacter Angers, retired Major in the U.S. Army, to provide an opportunity for today’s women to pursue a career in nursing. Although Mary did not have the opportunity to pursue any formal nursing education, she did use every learning opportunity available to her so that she could care for the sick in her family and in the community.

Dr. Helen Beeman Altrusa Memorial Scholarship

The Dr. Helen Beeman Altrusa Memorial Scholarship was established in 1990 by the Altrusa Club in memory of the late Dr. Helen Beeman. Dr. Beeman was a pathologist at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. She was a pioneer in the field of nuclear diagnostic medicine and was a founder of Treasure Valley Laboratory, Inc., in Boise. Dr. Beeman was honored as an emeritus fellow of the College of American Pathologists. She retired from the practice of medicine in 1982, but continued to consult with Boise area attorneys in medically-related litigation. Dr. Beeman was a member of the Altrusa Club of Boise and served as its president from 1969 to 1971. In 1981, she received the Club’s Woman of Achievement Award. Dr. Beeman was also a supporter of numerous professional, community and political organizations.

Frances T. Wassler Pre-Med Scholarship

The Ronald Wassler Pre-Medicine Scholarship was established in 1995 by his mother, Frances Wassler, to honor Ronald’s memory. At Frances’s passing in 2004 the family requested a change in the name to honor Frances’ memory. Some of Frances’ most notable achievements include; raising four loving children, volunteering at the Elks and St. Alphonsus Hospitals, and in providing for educational and financial needs of students via scholarship programs at Bishop Kelly and Boise State University.

College of Social Sciences & Public Affairs Scholarships

Charles Wilson Communications Scholarship

The Charles Wilson Communication Scholarship was established in 1986 by Charles Wilson. Charles first found an interest in radio when his father purchased a radio station. After years of begging Charles was finally allowed to work at the station and soon purchased stations in Boise and in the Chico/Redding area of California.

Marguerite Gottenberg History Scholarship

The Marguerite Gottenberg History Scholarship was established in 1984 in honor of the late Willis Gottenberg, when Marguerite passed away the scholarship was changed to honor her. Willis Gottenberg came to Boise Junior College in 1947 as an English, creative writing, and Spanish teacher. He was acting-president when BJC was granted four-year status. Marguerite Gottenberg taught history, English, and social sciences for years in a high school in North Dakota before she met Willis. Marguerite was a member of the Women’s Rotary, the auxiliary of St. Alphonsus Hospital, and the American Association of University Women, as well as being very active in the Catholic Church. She is remembered for her warmth, sense of humor, hospitality, keen intelligence and zest for life.