All scholarships require full-time attendance (12 hours for undergraduate; 6 hours for graduate) unless indicated otherwise.
All scholarships require a 3.0 cumulative GPA unless indicated otherwise.
All scholarships are for fall and/or spring semester only (summer not included) unless indicated otherwise.
All recipients are recommended by the department, with final approval by the ECU Foundation Scholarship Committee.
Any exceptions must be approved by the department chair and the Foundation Scholarship Committee.
WENDELL ALTMILLER SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a senior majoring in Elementary Education with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Dr. Altmiller was a long-time ECU faculty member and Dean of the College of Education. This scholarship was established in his honor by family, friends, and colleagues.
FERN ANDERSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a student majoring in Elementary Education with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Established by her niece Dr. Louise Young, this scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student majoring in Elementary Education.
JOHN AND RUTH BOONE SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a student from Ada High School who is majoring in Education, who plans to teach in the public school system, and who has maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA.
BRILES SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded based on need and a minimum 2.5 GPA. Originally established as part of the Federal Student Loan Program, this scholarship was transferred to the ECU Foundation in 1995.
CAROL DEARMAN BROWN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a Junior or Senior level student majoring in Elementary Education. Mrs. Brown obtained her Elementary Education degree from East Central in 1970. She went on to serve in the classroom as an educator for almost fifty years. Despite having long been eligible for retirement, but because she loved students, she continued to teach. She contracted Covid-19 while teaching just a couple of weeks before the vaccine became available and succumbed to the illness. This scholarship is given in recognition of her sacrifice and in honor of her passion for teaching.
AUDRE CHAPMAN SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded at the discretion of the Education Department. Ms. Chapman attended ECU January 1927 to May 1928 and received a life teaching certificate. She taught in both Oklahoma and Arizona for several years. This scholarship was established in 1986 with a $10,000 donation from her family and she established several scholarships at the University of Arizona.
DON AND ETHEL CLAWSON SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to an upperclassman who has been admitted to the Education program and who has maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA. Both the Clawson’s attended ECU and they established this scholarship to assist students who plan to enter the teaching profession.
RHONDA KAY EVANS CLEMENTS EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to at the discretion of the Education Department. Rhonda Kay "Evans" Clements was a proud graduate of the East Central University Department of Education. Mrs. Clements taught third grade in the Noble school system for 37 years and was held in high esteem by her fellow teachers, students, and their parents during her lengthy tenure.
WAYNE COBB SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a student with a declared major of Education and preference will be given to students with a desire to coach basketball in a public or private institution. The recipient must maintain a 2.5 GPA or above and be a full-time ECU student. Coach Cobb is one of the most renowned basketball coaches in southern Oklahoma. Cobb was named head basketball coach at ECU in 1978 and is the University's all-time winningest coach with more than 600 wins. This scholarship was established by Wayne Cobb's friends and family.
JOANN DOUGLAS COKER SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded at the discretion of the Education Department. This scholarship was established by Curtis Lee Douglas.
COTTINGHAM/ROSS GRADUATE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a student making progress toward a Master of Education Degree within the College of Education and Psychology. This scholarship was established by Jim and Shelley Ross Hamby in honor of their family members, Carrollee Cottingham, Melba Cottingham, and Jon & Marjorie Ross - all ECU Alums.
TINA HOPE DAVIS SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to junior or senior level students. The recipient must have and maintain a cumulative 2.5 or above GPA and be full-time. Recipients must have a declared major of Elementary Education or Secondary Education with preference to current ECU Cheerleaders. This scholarship was created by the Tina's Legacy Committee. Mrs. Tina Davis attended ECU and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1984 and later in 1986 earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education. While a student at ECU, Mrs. Davis was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and she was also the Tiger Mascot for the Cheerleading squad. Mrs. Davis’s teaching career included Ardmore schools and Ada Public Schools. While at Ada, she taught early childhood special education for 29 years, where she eventually became the Director of Special Services. Tina was a compassionate teacher who believed all children could learn and be successful. She was also a passionate swim instructor who devoted her summers to teaching swimming and water safety. Tina had a kind, joyful heart and loving spirit who devoted her life to helping and educating others. This Centennial Scholarship will ensure that Mrs. Davis’s dedication to helping others will live on through the scholarship recipients.
DCT COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND PSYCHOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to graduate students who have been unconditionally admitted to their program of Education, Psychology, or Kinesiology. The recipient's graduate GPA must be a 3.5 or above and he/she must be enrolled in a minimum of three hours of graduate coursework in their program area. This scholarship is awarded at the discretion of the College of Education and Psychology Scholarship Committee, or their chosen designee, and can be used for fall, spring, and/or summer semesters.
JAMES AND MILDRED MURPHY DENNIS EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a student in his/her semester of student teaching as selected by the Education department. Mrs. Dennis is a 1950 graduate of ECU and both she and her husband recognize the value of public school teachers and the education that they can provide to future generations.
DR. JOHN DENSFORD SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a student who has completed 45 credit hours, who has been admitted to the Education program, and who has maintained a cumulative 2.75 GPA or a 3.0 GPA in the last 30 hours. Dr. Densford was a long-time faculty member at ECU and this scholarship was established by his family, friends, and colleagues in his memory.
NANCY ELLIOTT EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to students that have a declared major that allows for teacher certification with preference given to students that are not married and have at least 1 dependent child. The recipient will be awarded during their student teaching semester. This scholarship was established by Ms. Elliott's children, Nathan, Robyn, and Rachel.
DR. SHELLY MUNCRIEF ELLIS EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to students that have a declared major allowing for teacher certification with a preference to those preparing to teach biology. Students will be awarded during their semester of student teaching. At the discretion of the Department of Education, funds may also be used to defray the cost of certification testing and mandatory background checks. This scholarship was established by Nathan and Shelly Muncrief Ellis.
DR. RONALD AND ESTELLE EVANS EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be used at the discretion of the Education department. Dr. and Mrs. Evans established this scholarship, as well as the Centennial Athletic Scholarship, in order to assist ECU students while attending school.
JIM AND PATRICIA FAUROT EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be award to students with a declared major that allows for teacher certification with preference given to those preparing to teach one of the following subject areas in no particular order; history, government, social studies.
DOROTHA LUTTRELL FENTON EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship was established in honor of Mrs. Fenton by her son Brad and other family members. This scholarship will be awarded at the discretion of the department.
BILLIE FATHREE FLOYD PHYSICAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a student who is majoring in Elementary Education and who plans to teach physical education at the elementary school level. The student must maintain at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA and must have been admitted to ECU’s Teacher Education Program. Mrs. Floyd is a long-time Ada resident and former faculty member at ECU. This scholarship has been established in her honor by her family, friends, and colleagues.
DENTON AND ETHEL FLOYD SCHOLARSHIP
Mr. Floyd was a long-time instructor at ECU and established this scholarship to assist students in obtaining a higher education. This scholarship will be awarded to a student entering their student teaching semester.
DR. NORMAN FRAME MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT
Dr. Frame was a long-time instructor at ECU. His friends and family established this scholarship to assist students in their pursuit of a degree in Education. This scholarship requires a minimum 2.5 GPA and will be awarded to those already admitted into the ECU Teacher Education Program.
INA GREEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This award was established by Dr. Jack Green in honor of Mrs. Green, his grandmother. This scholarship will be awarded at the discretion of the department.
DR. TIM GREEN EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to an Education student planning on a coaching career. Dr. Green was a long-time member of the ECU community, serving first as a teacher in the Education department, and later as athletic director for several years. This scholarship was established by his family, friends, and colleagues in his honor and memory.
MADELINE HARGRAVE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
Established by Dr. Jack Paschall and Hargrave family members, this scholarship honors Mrs. Hargrave for her excellence in teaching and influence on students. This scholarship will be awarded at the discretion of the department with preference given to post graduate students who are furthering their education through a certificate program or a master's degree within the realm of education.
BILL AND MARGARETT HARRIS SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a junior or senior student pursuing an Education degree in the areas of math and sciences who has maintained a minimum 2.5 GPA. This scholarship was established in 1988 by the Central and South West System, its employees and friends, to honor Bill Harris, Vice-Chairman of the Central and South West Corporation on the occasion of his retirement.
HIGGINBOTHAM FAMILY EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP (summer only)
This scholarship will be awarded to a senior or graduate Education student with a minimum 3.0 GPA who displays leadership qualities. Dorothy Higginbotham was an ECU alumna who understood and recognized the value of higher education and established this scholarship as part of her estate planning.
JOHN L. HOGGATT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a graduate student majoring in Special Education who has maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA, has financial need, possesses leadership skills, and demonstrates high moral standards, integrity, and concern for others. John was a senior at Byng High School when he died in a tragic automobile accident; this scholarship was established in his memory by family and friends.
HORACE MANN SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIP
Alumni of Horace Mann School have provided the funds for this scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded at the discretion of the department.
JANIE HOWELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to students from Konawa High School who plan to major in Education. Mrs. Howell taught at Konawa High School for several years and this scholarship was established in her memory by family and friends. This scholarship will be awarded at the discretion of the department.
CANDY LYNN HUDSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Candy Lynn Hudson was born in Ada, Oklahoma in 1954, and she was a native of nearby Coalgate. As a teenager, she was part of the fourth generation to work in the family business, Hudson’s Big Country Store, which was a stalwart fixture of the Coalgate community for 91 years. Candy attended East Central University from 1973 -1977, graduating with both her Bachelor and Masters in Education. She began her teaching career in Maysville, Oklahoma, and after one year moved to Denison High School in Texas. In 1984, Candy began selling real estate. She was named Rookie Agent of the Year for the Plano (TX) office of the Henry S. Miller agency that year. After several years in the real estate industry, Candy returned to teaching in 1991 in Plano. She was a Reading Specialist at both Clark High School and Hendrick Middle School until she retired from the Texas system in 2013 to care for her aging mother back in Oklahoma. Candy later returned to teaching once again at Durant (OK) Middle School where she taught from 2018 – 2023. During her career, Candy taught both Special Education and Reading for students who tested below grade level for comprehension. She had a heart for students who had physical, mental, and academic challenges, and her goal was to help all her students succeed to the best of their abilities. For nearly 35 years, she invested her time and talents into the lives of her young pupils. In her memory, the Candy Lynn Hudson Education Scholarship has been established to help develop the next generation of educators and assist with their academic endeavors.
KELLOGG MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded at the discretion of the Education Department to students with a declared major of Education whom plan to teach Math and/or Science. Don and Jane Kellogg have been very generous supporters of East Central University and the College of Education.
JARED M. LAMB SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a graduate level student with a declared major of Special Education. The recipient must have and maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA. Preference will be given to those currently teaching Special Education in a Pontotoc County public school in Oklahoma or to those employed at McCall's Chapel School in Ada, OK. This scholarship was established by Jared's parents, Jack "Mike", 1971 ECU School of Business (Accounting), alumni and Toni, 1993 ECU School of Nursing alumna, Lamb. This scholarship is to be awarded each spring semester.
LEON AND PAULINE LANOY EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to students majoring in an academic discipline that leads to either an elementary school or secondary school teaching certificate. Recipients must have and maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA. Other qualifications and guidelines have been established. Please contact the ECU Education Department to determine eligibility. The Lanoys were educators for over 40 years, teaching in both Oklahoma and Wyoming. Pauline taught all subjects in grades K through 8 and Leon was a teacher, principal, and superintendent during his career in education. Both Leon and Pauline were inducted into the ECU Educators Hall of Fame in 2009 and were recognized as ECU’s Distinguished Philanthropists in 2008. They established this scholarship to assist ECU students because of their strong belief in the value of higher education and the teaching profession.
LEON AND PAULINE LANOY GRADUATE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to an Education student working on his/her master’s degree. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required, and other guidelines may be developed by either the donor or the Education department. The Lanoys were educators for over 40 years, teaching in both Oklahoma and Wyoming. Pauline taught all subjects in grades K through 8 and Leon was a teacher, principal, and superintendent during his career in education. Both Leon and Pauline were inducted into the ECU Educators Hall of Fame in 2009 and were recognized as ECU’s Distinguished Philanthropists in 2008. They established this scholarship to assist master’s degree students because of their strong belief in the value of higher education and the teaching profession.
LOIS AND CEPHUS LAWSON EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a junior or senior majoring in Education with a minimum 3.0 GPA. This fund was established by the Lawson family in gratitude for the opportunity that ECU afforded their children to achieve college educations. They had five children, all of whom graduated from ECU.
GEORGIA HOWELL LIMES SCHOLARSHIP
This was established by Mrs. Limes’ honor and memory by her family. This scholarship will be awarded at the discretion of the department.
MARY ANN LOCKHART MEMORIAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship may be awarded to a first-time beginning freshman, transfer students or continuing students. If awarded to first-time beginning freshmen, the student must be eligible for admission to the University. If awarded to a transfer or continuing student, the student must be in good academic standing and have a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average in at least 12 semester hours of college credit. Regardless of the student's eligibility status to be admitted to East Central University, the student must possess unique or exceptional financial needs and academic potential with preference but not limited to moms raising children. Mrs. Lockhart was an ECU alumna and an Elementary teacher in both Oklahoma and Texas for 27 years. She graduated with honors while married and raising three children. Her husband, Glen Lockhart was also an ECU graduate and was a basketball coach in Oklahoma. Mary Ann had other family members that graduated from ECU including her brother-in-law, Ted Lockhart and nephew-in-law, Kris Steele. Mary Ann knew that education would increase an individual’s possibilities of having better success in their future. She encouraged all her children and grandchildren to seek higher education. Therefore, this scholarship has been established by Mary Ann’s Daughter, Elizabeth Vezina also a graduate of ECU and CPA and husband Normand, Son, Herb Lockhart a graduate of the University of North Texas who has enjoyed a successful career in the Automotive industry, Herb’s wife, Penny who is a graduate of Texas A&M and an Elementary teacher for 13 years and their families. Mary Ann’s grandchildren listed by age, Mary Orns is a graduate of Texas Tech, Roger Vezina is a graduate of the Golf Academy, Logan Lockhart is a graduate of TCU and Lacey Lockhart is a graduate of TCU and went on to obtain a Master’s degree from Abilene Christian University. The family’s hope is that the students receiving this scholarship will pour their heart into their students as they know that Mary Ann did.
BUSTER AND ARLENE MCGEE SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a student from the Butner/Okemah/Prague areas who major in Education. Students from other geographical areas may be chosen if these guidelines cannot be met. The scholarship may be continued for consecutive semesters if all guidelines are met. The McGee’s were the parents of Twylah McGee Horne and the Horne family has established this scholarship in their memory.
TARA MILLSAP STUDENT TEACHING SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to an Education student during his/her semester of student teaching. Mrs. Millsap is an ECU graduate and has taught over 25 years at Davis Public Schools.
DANIEL MINNICH MEMORIAL STUDENT TEACHING SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to an Education student during his/her semester of student teaching. Daniel was an ECU student who died during his student teaching semester, and this scholarship has been established by his family and friends in his memory. Yearly funding is provided by a golf tournament in Daniel’s name.
JESS AND TRUDY NANCE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to an Education major who has maintained a minimum 2.7 GPA, has completed at least 36 hours, and has been accepted into the teacher education program. Financial need will also be taken into consideration. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Nance established this scholarship in their memory.
DONNIE AND SHIRLEY NERO STUDENT TEACHING SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a minority student in his/her semester of student teaching. The Nero’s have been a very visible influence in Oklahoma higher education and they provide yearly funding to assist a student who will be teaching in the near future.
JACK PASCHALL GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a graduate Education student at the discretion of the department. Dr. Paschall, long-time faculty member in the Education department, has been honored by his family, friends, and colleagues with the establishment of this scholarship, which is the first graduate scholarship at ECU.
PETTIGREW FAMILY EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a junior or senior level student with a declared major in Education. Preference will be given to students aspiring to teach History and/or coach when multiple, worthy, candidates with a minimum 3.0 GPA are being considered. This scholarship was established by Dan and Lea Ann Pettigrew and their sons, Austin and Blake. Dan is a 1984 ECU graduate, Austin 2019 ECU graduate and Blake a 2023 ECU graduate. This scholarship is to honor the value that not only a teacher has in the classroom, but a coach has on the young lives that he or she will impact in the future.
BILLIE JO REESE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a student who has completed at least 60 credit hours, has maintained a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA or minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 30 hours, and has been admitted to the Teacher Education program. Preference will be given to an education guidance counseling major. Additionally, financial need, personality, and desire to learn will be factors in the determination process. Mrs. Reese was a long-time public school teacher in the Ada area and this scholarship was established in her memory by family, friends, and colleagues.
MILDRED RIDLING SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to an Education major with a minimum of 45 completed hours and a minimum 2.75 GPA. Ms. Ridling was a long-time employee of ECU, serving as Dean of Women, and this scholarship was established in her honor and memory.
ESSIE ROARK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND PSYCHOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to graduate students who have been unconditionally admitted to their program of Education, Psychology, or Kinesiology. The recipient's graduate GPA must be a 3.5 or above and he/she must be enrolled in a minimum of three (3) hours of graduate coursework in their program area. This scholarship is awarded at the discretion of the College of Education and Psychology Scholarship Committee, or their chosen designee, and can be used for fall, spring, and/or summer semesters.
JUSTICE DUSTIN AND NICOLE ROWE SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded in the fall semester to a student with a declared major in Music and awarded in the spring semester to a student with a declared major in Early Childhood Education. Dustin and Nicole Rowe are both graduates of ECU. They believe strong Music and Early Childhood programs are crucial to students' success.
DIANA SHANNON MEMORIAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to students who have graduated from or who are currently teaching in the public school systems in Murray or Garvin counties who are Library Media Specialists, or who are seeking a degree in this area. If there are no eligible recipients, the scholarship can be awarded to students who are working toward a Master of Education who have graduated from or who are currently teaching in the same public school systems. If there are no eligible students according to these guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded at the discretion of the department. Mrs. Shannon was a long-time educator and this scholarship was established by her family, friends, and colleagues in her memory.
TOM AND MADELINE SORRELLS SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will serve students who have met the department requirements to enroll in a required departmental internship, student teaching, or clinical in the last semester at the end of their undergraduate degree program. The internship, student teaching, or clinical requirement must be a full-time semester enrollment. An individual may receive this award for one semester only. The award is intended to help students who cannot otherwise work during that semester. The maximum award for any single student may not exceed $1,000, but a lesser amount may be awarded based on need. This scholarship was established in the last will and testament of Pansy Cradduck Bates. Eligible students are those completing undergraduate degrees in Elementary Education and/or Early Childhood Education, and for students completing teacher certification degrees in Secondary Education programs (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Art, English, History, and Music).
SPENCER/DUFFER/PARSONS GRADUATE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a graduate level Education major at the discretion of the department.
NANCY VAN DUSEN SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to an Education major during their senior year. The recipient will be a full-time ECU student with a 2.5 GPA or above. Preference will be given to student teachers who graduate from a Pontotoc County High School. This scholarship was established by Jim and Annie Wooldridge in honor of Ms. Van Dusen.
NANCY WILLIAMS EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to a student admitted into the Teacher Education Program. The recipient will be a full-time ECU student that graduated from either: Midwest City, Del City or Carl Albert High School in Oklahoma . Ms. Williams graduated from Carl Albert High School in Midwest City at the age of 17. She had family attending East Central who encouraged her to apply. She loved everything about East Central State College, loved being a Tiger Cheerleader, and loved the beautiful city of Ada. Nancy graduated in 1975 at the age of 21, was hired in August at Mid-Del, and retired from there at the age of 51. "Reflecting on life and accomplishments, I know without a shadow of a doubt that had ECU not been a part of my life I would not be the person I am today"
J.W. AND CLARA ZIMMERMAN SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship will be awarded to an Education major who is a sophomore or higher and who exhibits financial need. Mr. Zimmerman was the first person to obtain a master’s degree at ECU and this family has had a very visible influence on higher education in Oklahoma. This scholarship was established by family, friends, and colleagues in honor and memory of both J.W. and Clara Zimmerman