Shepherd Scholarship
The Shepherd Scholars Program annually honors outstanding students
The Shepherd Scholars Program annually honors Emporia State’s most outstanding students, as determined through a robust and competitive application process. Emporia natives R. Hershel and Augusta Shepherd established this program through an endowed gift of $150,000 to the ESU Foundation in 1995. Through the years, the scholarship has been further enhanced by contributions from the couple and their children.
Each year, the annual income from this fund is used to honor up to 12 outstanding scholars. Each scholar receives a certificate and a $3,467 award for the following academic year to recognize his or her achievements. In addition, they are designated ESU Shepherd Scholars for their senior year.
Applicants must:
- be at least a junior (having completed at least 60 credit hours at the time of application);
- have at least two semesters of coursework remaining prior to degree attainment;
- and maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
The application period will open during the spring semester of each year.
To apply and check deadlines, submit the following into the Scholarship Portal.
- a completed application;
- a sample of your best college work (research paper, taped musical performance, art project, etc.);
- a letter of application that summarizes your accomplishments, includes a statement about the significance of your sample college work, and explains what this award would mean to you;
- transcript(s) of your college work (unofficial are accepted);
- and at least two letters of recommendation from faculty or staff, submitted under separate cover (by the faculty or staff)
Students do not need to be a member of the Honors College to receive this award.