In 1995, a substantial gift by Emporians R. Hershel and Augusta Shepherd to Emporia State established the Emporia State University Shepherd Scholars Program. Annual distributions from the endowment - which continues to grow thanks to ongoing gifts from the Shepherd family - are given as scholarships to recognize Emporia State’s most outstanding scholars each year. The University Honors college organizes the competition and the distinguished Roe R. Cross Professors select the recipients.
On April 14, the 2016-17 Shepherd Scholars were introduced. Two of recipients in the class are Emporian Brandon Shrader and Wichitan Mikala Sharlow.
Schrader chose Emporia State because of its support for academics through programs like the Honors College and the Emporia State University Summer Undergraduate Research Program (ESURP). With a supportive academic system and a growing student life, he believed Emporia State was a natural fit for students who want to be motivated to become a better people and leaders.
“The financial incentive of a scholarship is a small part of a larger reminder: when a University offers someone a scholarship, they are investing in your education and stating that they believe in your future,” Schrader said. “This is what becoming a Shepherd Scholar means to me.”
“Emporia State University not only wants me to flourish here, but to be successful in my future endeavors. Additionally, becoming a Shepherd Scholar has allowed me to develop a new confidence in myself while also reminding me of why I will always be proud to be a Hornet.”
Sharlow chose to come to Emporia State because of its welcoming, tight-knit community, and enjoyed how the university put students first. Currently the vice president of the Associated Student Government, Sharlow believes that Emporia State has proved her initial impressions about the university to be true time and time again during her first three years as a Hornet.
“Receiving a scholarship means that the university has seen the hard work and dedication I put into my school work and responsibilities,” Sharlow said. “This also means that I can focus more on my academic work and future instead of worrying about how I am going to pay for tuition and daily expenses during my senior year.”
To be eligible to apply students must have outstanding academic credentials and have completed at least 60 credits of coursework with two semesters of work remaining to complete their academic programs.
In recognition of their accomplishments, each Emporia State Shepherd Scholar receives a plaque and a $1200 scholarship award for use in their senior year.
During the event, Christopher Alderman of Emporia also received the 2016 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professors Scholarship.
Below is the list of the 2016-17 Shepherd Scholars, hometown and major:
- Christopher Alderman, Emporia, biochemistry & molecular biology
- Jaide Allenbrand, Olathe, biology
- Elayna Coleman, Valley Center, English
- Taylor Heins, Americus, health promotion
- Kelly Holden, Allen, Texas, nursing
- Raymond Horvat, Kansas City, music
- Kandace Miller, Hutchinson, mathematics education
- Eswin Rios, Emporia, social sciences education
- Brandon Schrader, Emporia, economics and psychology
- Dallas Shafer, Emporia, business
- Mikala Sharlow, Wichita, communication
- Franziska Willenbuecher, Limburgerhof, Germany, business administration and modern language
For information about how you can be a part of Now & Forever, the Campaign for Emporia State University, please contact campaign manager Carol Cooper at 620-341-6463.