The Department received its first privately-endowed scholarship fund recently. Robert Dunham established the Larry Dunham Memorial Scholarship fund in the spring of 1999, melding his own contributions with the seed money left by his brother Larry, former Joplin Junior College instructor. Because of their generosity, two able students received scholarships applied toward their academic expenses during 1999-2000. According to the guidelines for the scholarship, the recipients must be graduating seniors, one a BSE major and one a BA major. This past year Susan Primm (BSE, Spring 2000) and Lisa St. Ledger (BA, Spring 2000) received the first Dunham Scholarships. In April of 2000 two more students were named Dunham recipients: Barbie Cope (BSE, Spring 2001) and Janet Reed (BA, Spring 2001).  In April of 2001 Stacey Alexander (BA, Spring 2002) and Mary Spencer (BSE, Fall 2001) were selected by the department.

My regret is that scholarships such as these were not available before 1999-2000. Thanks to generous friends of the Department, we now have an endowed scholarship. I wish that we could help more of our fine students as they work toward achieving their dreams.

To all our alumni scattered across the four corners of the earth, consider establishing or contributing toward a new endowment to enhance the Department and its current students. The School of Business has received several endowments which it can tap for student financial aid and enhancing school activities. We believe that our graduates are just as appreciative of their education within the English & Philosophy Department as those graduates of the School of Business.

To read the Dunham Scholarship eligibility and application procedures, click here.

Dale W. Simpson, Head