New scholarship for ESU students may be music to their ears

Students of music and foreign language at Emporia State University now have a new scholarship to support them, thanks to Leona Travis of Emporia and her late husband, Dr. David Travis.

The Dr. David E. and Leona Hargadine Travis Scholarship Fund will assist students with GPAs above 3.5, alternating each year between foreign language students and music students. Dr. Travis, an ESU professor for 34 years and the former chair of ESU’s foreign language department, passed away in 1994. Leona Travis taught music for many years and now resides in Emporia.

With the scholarship, Leona Travis hopes to demonstrate the importance of higher education, and to provide educational opportunity to students. Both are ESU graduates – David earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1950, and a master’s degree in 1951, and Leona earned a bachelor’s degree in music in 1947 – and their two children also hold ESU degrees. Their connection to ESU will continue to grow through the new scholarship.

As students and professionals, David and Leona were involved in many activities and committees on campus and in the community. David chaired the foreign language department for 18 years, serving on the Graduate Council, the Academic Program Advising Committee, the Administrative Council, the Faculty Reorganization Committee, and more, while serving two terms as Faculty President. He authored Spanish tests for the U.S. Armed Forces Institute, served under Gen. George Patton in Germany in WWII, and was a member of Sigma Delta Pi, Phi Delta Pi, Kappa Delta Pi, and the Emporia Masonic Lodge #12.

Leona still has a love for music and continues to compose and share her talents with her family, friends, and the local community, and also writes poetry. She earned her master’s degree in music from the University of Texas at Austin and moved back to Emporia in 1956. The accomplished musician was the State Music Chairman for Alpha Delta Kappa; a musician for Chapter ES, PEO sisterhood; holds leadership positions with and numerous awards from the Emporia alumnae chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, an honorary music fraternity; served as the organist for Miriam Chapter No. 14, Order of the Eastern Star; and served the Literary League Study Club in Emporia.

Last Updated May 8, 2008>