ESU celebrates prestigious Shepherd Scholars

2008 Shepherd Scholars gather around Augusta Shepherd, who with her late husband established the Shepherd Scholars program at ESU. Left to right--Jonathan Torres, Jonathan Eusey, Sarah Sadowsky, Dallas Weaver, Stephanie Schifferdecker, Trevor Williamson, Augusta Shepherd, Dustin Loyd, Kristina Bromwell, Krista Zogelman, Courtney Knaup and Ryan Norton. (click on photo to enlarge)

Eleven Emporia State University students received a great honor by being named Shepherd Scholars as members of the Shepherd family looked on.

The prestigious $1,200 scholarships help seniors-to-be pay for their books and tuition. The program was established in 1994 by R. Hershel and Augusta Shepherd, who were born in Emporia. A ceremony was held April 30, after a luncheon where scholars and members of the Shepherd family visited.

“It was so nice to meet the Shepherd family,” said Mulvane junior Stephanie Schifferdecker, one of the recipients. “I am grateful to them that I can go through my senior year not having to worry so much about paying for school. This has been a great honor, and I am delighted that I was chosen to receive it.”

The 2008 Shepherd Scholars include:

• Kristina Bramwell, Spivey, social sciences education
• Jonathan Eusey, Emporia, biology
• Courtney Knaup, Wichita, physics
• Dustin Loyd, Mission, biology
• Ryan Norton, Emporia, business education
• Sarah Sadowsky, Overland Park, English
• Stephanie Schifferdecker, Mulvane, molecular biology
• Jonathan Torres, Wichita, modern language
• Dallas Weaver, Emporia, earth science
• Trevor Williamson, Vassar, modern language
• Krista Zogelman, Florence, nursing

During the ceremony, professors introduced the students and spoke of their accomplishments and hard work. Students received a plaque in recognition of their selection.  

In order to be considered for the Shepherd Scholars program, students submit  letters of application, samples of their best college work, and reference letters from faculty members. Each student must have completed 60 credit hours while maintaining a 3.5 grade point average.

For everyone this scholarship means something different. “This award is special to me,” said Dallas Weaver, a junior from Emporia. “I do not feel like I compare to the other scholars! But it helps me so much financially because I do not have to turn to other people in my family who already have college bills racked up.”

Last Updated May 8, 2008>