In 1961 the Women’s Advisory Board began giving scholarships and grants to all Wooster students based on their financial need, academic achievement, and community leadership skills. The College of Wooster Financial Aid Office and the Women’s Advisory Board work together each year. These scholarships and grants have supported hundreds of Wooster students academically. As of fall 2020, the total market value of these scholarships was $1,421,587.00. The Women’s Advisory Board awards nearly $80,000 in scholarships each year.

In order to raise funds for all scholarships and grants, Women’s Advisory Board relies on the annual Mayfest Benefit Brunch fundraising event and personal donations.

To know more about our current and past fundraising events.

To support our scholarships and grants, click the “Donate” button.

If you have any questions about the scholarships, contact us.

Vinnie Harper Annat Endowed Scholarship

The Vinnie Harper Annat Endowed Scholarship was established in 2011 to honor the memory of Vinnie Harper Annat, a member of the class of 1882. Her ties to the local community were further strengthened after her marriage to William Annat, owner of Annat Department Store in Wooster’s Public Square. Mrs. Annat became the first president of the Women’s Advisory Board at the invitation of President Sylvester Scovel and served from 1895-1937. Income from the fund is awarded annually to a young woman who demonstrates overall excellence, community leadership skills, high academic achievement, and financial need.

Harold G. and Helen F. Arnold Endowed Scholarship

In 1966, Harold G. Arnold established this scholarship fund to honor the memory of his wife, Women’s Advisory Board member Helen F. Arnold. After Harold’s death in 1981, their daughter Constance Arnold García, an Associate member of the Women’s Advisory Board, and her husband Dr. Richard E. Garcia, updated the fund’s name to honor both parents. This scholarship is awarded annually to a young woman recommended by the Women’s Advisory Board. In this recommendation, consideration will be given to general need and wholesome Christian character.

Alice C. Bailey Endowed Scholarship

The Alice C. Bailey Scholarship was established by the Women’s Advisory Board in 1981, following a gift from the Bailey Estate. Alice C. Bailey was a long-time member of The College of Wooster Board of Trustees (active 1941-1962; emeritus 1962-1975) and a member of the Women’s Advisory board from 1963-1975. Mrs. Bailey had been a ward of Birt E. Babcock, the person for whom Babcock Hall is named. Babcock Hall’s Bailey Room is named for Mrs. Bailey, and the room is decorated and maintained by the Women’s Advisory Board.

The recipient of the Alice C. Bailey Scholarship is to be a woman student entering her Junior year in good standing.

Jennifer Kay Blair Endowed Scholarship

The Jennifer Kay Blair Endowed Scholarship was established by her parents Glenn and Mim Blair in 2006 in recognition of and appreciation for the profound and lasting effect of the Wooster experience on Jennifer. Jennifer Kay Blair was a history major with a music minor who graduated in 1989. Mim Blair is a former Associate member of the Women’s Advisory Board. Income from the fund is awarded annually to one or more female students who have a strong academic record and demonstrated financial need. First preference is given to a history major who is also an active participant in the College’s musical programs. Recipients are selected by The College of Wooster’s Financial Aid Office and the Women’s Advisory Board.

Jean “Bunny” Bogner Endowed Scholarship

The Jean “Bunny” Bogner Endowed Scholarship was established in 1998 by her husband, Robert P. Bogner ’42, and other friends. The scholarship recognizes Bunny’s warm affection for the college and her years of service on The Women’s Advisory Board. Bunny graduated from The College of Wooster in 1942. She was a member of the Women’s Advisory Board for more than 35 years, and served as its President from 1974 to 1980. Awards are made annually to one or more students who have strong academic records and financial need. Recipients are selected by the college and Women’s Advisory Board.

The Elisabeth “Libby” Bruch Memorial Scholarship

The Elisabeth “Libby” Bruch Memorial Scholarship was established in 2020 by her four children Deborah (Mark) Robinson, Ginna (Dana) Phillips, Toby (Joanie) Bruch, and Rusta (Cora) Bruch, all of Wooster. Libby Bruch was a strong supporter of the College of Wooster, and served as a long-time, active member of the Women’s Advisory Board. Like her mother Libby, Ginna Phillips is an Executive Member of the Women’s Advisory Board.

Elizabeth Hazlett Buchanan Scholarship

The Elizabeth Hazlett Buchanan Endowed Scholarship was established by the Women’s Synodical Society in the Synod of Ohio in 1981 to honor Mrs. Buchanan for her role serving as the President of the Society during the 1950s. Mrs. Buchanan was an Honorary member of the Women’s Advisory Board, and her mother-in-law Barbara Buchanan served as an Associate member. All four of Elizabeth Hazlett Buchanan’s children attended The College of Wooster. The recipient of the scholarship is designated by a joint committee from Women’s Advisory Board and the college.

Everett Thomas Burnard Endowed Scholarship

The Everett Thomas Burnard Endowed Scholarship was established in 2007 by Wendy L. Barlow, a member of the class of 1974 and an executive member of the Women’s Advisory Board. Wendy L. Barlow wished to honor her father, who believed in academic excellence and the vital role that scholarships have in the life of a student, and who admired the special qualities that makes the College of Wooster unique among academic institutions. Income from the fund is awarded to a female student who has demonstrated financial need and exceptional academic achievement, and has dreams of making a difference in our world. Recipients are selected by the college and the Women’s Advisory Board.

Damon and Mary Hickey Endowed Emergency Scholarship Fund

Dr. Damon D. Hickey served as director of libraries at the College of Wooster for seventeen years from 1991-2008. Damon and his wife Mary established this endowed fund in 2013 in partnership with the Women’s Advisory Board to assist Wooster students who encounter severe financial hardship. It serves the needs of students facing unforeseen financial hardships who might otherwise be unable to continue their studies at the College of Wooster. Recipients are selected by the Director of Financial Aid in consultation with the Women’s Advisory Board.

Marge and Larry Hoge Endowed Scholarship

The Marge and Larry Hoge Endowed Scholarship was established in 2007 by Margery Neiswander Hoge, a member of the class of 1947, in memory of her husband, Lawrence A. Hoge, a member of the class of 1949. Mary Hoge is a former Executive and Honorary member of the Women’s Advisory Board. Income from the fund is awarded annually to students with demonstrated financial need. Recipients are selected by the College and The Women’s Advisory Board.

Jean Waterbury Howlett Endowed Scholarship

The Jean Waterbury Howlett Endowed Scholarship was established in 1988 to recognize Mrs. Howlett’s devotion to the College and its students and her years of service on the Women’s Advisory Board. Mrs. Howlett served as Women’s Advisory Board President from 1956-1959. The scholarship is awarded annually to students with superior academic records who have financial need, with preference given to students of the humanities. Recipients are selected by the College and the Women’s Advisory Board.

Annie B. Irish Endowed Scholarship

The Annie B. Irish Endowed Scholarship was established in 1994 by The Women’s Advisory Board in honor of Dr. Annie B. Irish (1857-1886). Dr. Irish was the first woman to receive a Ph.D. degree from the University of Wooster and was Wooster’s first female professor. She taught as a professor of German Language and Litters from 1881 to 1886. Dr. Irish was a founder and President of the Wooster Educational Association, the predecessor to the Women’s Advisory Board. You can read more about her accomplishments here. This scholarship is awarded annually to a young woman who has financial need and displays qualities of general excellence.

Barbara Burkland Landes Endowed Scholarship

The Barbara Burkland Landes Endowed Scholarship was established in 1997 by Mrs. Landes, class of 1941. Mrs. Landes was a strong supporter of the Women’s Advisory Board, serving as an Executive Committee member beginning in 1973, and as President from 1980-1983. This scholarship recognizes her longtime membership on the Women’s Advisory Board and is awarded annually by the Board and the college to a young woman who has financial need and demonstrates academic promise.

Pamela M. Matsos Endowed Scholarship

The Pamela M. Matsos Endowed Scholarship was established by the Women’s Advisory Board to honor the memory of Pam Matsos, who served on The Women’s Advisory Board’s Executive Board from 2008 until her death in 2016. She was the Board’s president at the time of her passing. Income from the scholarship shall be awarded annually to female students at Wooster who demonstrate financial need and a record of academic achievement

Albert Gordon McGaw Memorial Scholarship

Dr. Wilbert H. McGaw, class of 1929, and his wife, Georgianna Robbins McGaw, established this scholarship in 1965 to honor his father Albert Gordon McGaw, a member of the class of 1891. Dr. Wilbert H. McGaw graduated from Wooster in absentia because of his service in World War I. Mr. Albert Gordon McGaw was an athlete, playing on the football team and earning a gold medal on the track team while attending Wooster. He served as a missionary in India for thirty-six years. The scholarship is awarded for general excellence and to provide student aid. Recipients are selected by the college and the Women’s Advisory Board.

Shirley Snider Ryan Endowed Scholarship

The Shirley Snider Ryan Endowed Scholarship was established in 2005 by Shirley Snider Ryan, a longtime member of The Women’s Advisory Board, where she served as both an Executive and Honorary member. Mrs. Ryan wished to honor the dedication of Women’s Advisory Board through the creation of this scholarship. Income from the fund is awarded annually to one or more junior or senior women who are residents of Wayne County, Ohio, and who demonstrate financial need. Recipients are selected by the college and the Women’s Advisory Board.

Helen Hoover Secrest Scholarship

Established in 1961, The Helen Hoover Secrest Endowed Scholarship was the first scholarship begun the Women’s Advisory Board, drawing on funds provided by the Presbyterian women and associates of the Board. The scholarship honors the memory of Helen Hoover Secrest. Mrs. Secrest was an Executive member of the Women’s Advisory Board from 1932-1956, serving as President from 1940-1941. She remained an Honorary member until her death in 1973. Her husband, Dr. Edmund Secrest, was Director of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station in Wooster from 1937-1947, and served on The College of Wooster’s Board of Trustees. The scholarship is awarded annually to a young woman on the basis of scholarship, potential leadership, and need for financial assistance.

Scott Family Endowed Scholarship

The Scott Family Endowed Scholarship was established by Elizabeth Hunt Hooker in 1987. Elizabeth Hunt Hooker served on the Women’s Advisory Board as an Executive and Honorary member for twenty-seven years, and a two-term President from 1986-1992. The Scholarship honors Elizabeth Hunt Hooker’s mother and her three sisters, all College of Wooster graduates: Esther Scott Galloway ’20, Agnes Elizabeth Scott ’22, Eleanor Scott Evans ’25, and Mary Catharine Scott Hunt ’27. This scholarship is to be awarded annually to students who demonstrate financial need and academic excellence. Recipients are selected by the College and the Women’s Advisory Board.

Vi Startzman Emergency Student Medical Aid Fund

Members of the Women’s Advisory Board established this fund in 1976 to honor the contributions of Dr. Viola Startzman Robertson, a retired College of Wooster physician. Dr. Startzman joined the Women’s Advisory Board in 1956. She served as both an Executive and an Associated member of the Women’s Advisory Board. This award is designed to aid College of Wooster students with medically related needs, and is administered by the Dean of Students’ Office.

Stanley R. Welty Family Endowed Scholarship

The Stanley R. Welty Family Endowed Scholarship was established in 2009 by Janet N. Welty, an honorary member of the Women’s Advisory Board, to honor the memory of her husband, Stanley R. Welty, Jr., and his father, Stanley R. Welty, Senior. Stan Welty, Jr. served as a member of The College of Wooster’s Board of Trustees from 1991 to 2002, and as Trustee Emeritus from 2003 until his death in 2007. His father, Stan Welty, Sr., was a member of the class of 1924 and an honorary life member of the Board of Trustees from 1977 until his death in 1991. Income from the fund is awarded annually to one or more students with financial need who have demonstrated qualities of leadership and academic achievement, especially in economics or business economics, and are active in community service at Wooster or in their hometowns. Recipients are selected by the College and The Women’s Advisory Board.

Women’s Advisory Board Scholarship

The Women’s Advisory Board Endowed Scholarship was established in 1987 by the executive board members. Awards are given to students with excellent academic records and financial need. The WAB was organized in 1883 by the College’s first female faculty member, Dr. Annie B. Irish, together with faculty wives and townswomen, known originally as “The Wooster Women’s Educational Association.” The Women’s Advisory Board supports twenty three scholarships and funds that assist domestic and international students. The Women’s Advisory Board coordinates and works closely with multiple campus departments for their annual fundraiser, annual board meeting and student related events.

Women’s Advisory Board Hardship Fund for International Students

The Women’s Advisory Board Hardship Fund for International Students was endowed in 2007 by members of The Women’s Advisory Board. The endowed fund provides short-term financial support to upper-class international students who demonstrate severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances that are beyond their control. Preference is given to seniors with strong academic records who have made significant contributions to the campus community.

Norman L. and Helen Agricola Wright Endowed Scholarship

The Norman L. and Helen Agricola Wright Endowed Scholarship was established in 1999 by Helen Agricola Wright to honor the memory of her husband, Norman L. Wright, M.D., a member of the class of 1947. Helen Agricola Wright served as an Associate member of the Women’s Advisory Board. The scholarship is administered by the Women’s Advisory Board.