Scholarships Directory

The Founders Memorial Scholarships are Theta Foundation’s most prestigious awards, valued at $12,000 each. Awarded to the top four junior applicants every year, the recipients are intentionally matched with a specific founder based on their shared accomplishments and characteristics. Alice was one of the first women admitted to Indiana Asbury alongside Bettie Locke Hamilton. Education was a major focus of her life; she taught at the local one-room schoolhouse in her small farming town and eventually became principal of a high school.

The Alice Neal Clarkson Kappa Scholarship is named in honor and memory of Alice Clarkson, Alpha Mu/Missouri. The Clarkson family Theta legacy started with Charlotte Bodman Neal, Psi/Wisconsin, who was not only a member, but also served as house mother of the chapter. Her three daughters, Alice, Margaret, and Virginia, were all initiated at Kappa/Kansas. Alice continued her relationship with Theta after college through serving in numerous positions for the Kansas City Alumnae Chapter. She started this scholarship because she believed strongly in the benefits that Theta provides to young women academically and socially. Three of Alice’s children also became Thetas. Her hope for this scholarship was to help a student financially and tangibly demonstrate her love for Kappa Alpha Theta.

The Alice Neal Clarkson Alpha Mu Scholarship is named in honor and memory of Alice Clarkson, Alpha Mu/Missouri. The Clarkson family Theta legacy started with Charlotte Bodman Neal, Psi/Wisconsin, who was not only a member, but also served as house mother of the chapter. Her three daughters, Alice, Margaret, and Virginia, were all initiated at Kappa/Kansas. Alice continued her relationship with Theta after college through serving in numerous positions for the Kansas City Alumnae Chapter. She started this scholarship because she believed strongly in the benefits that Theta provides to young women academically and socially. Three of Alice’s children also became Thetas. Her hope for this scholarship was to help a student financially and tangibly demonstrate her love for Kappa Alpha Theta.

The Alicia Diane Lee Scholarship is named for Alicia Lee, Zeta Omicron/Wake Forest. Alicia and her family established this scholarship to support the dreams of Thetas pursuing higher education. Alicia herself has benefitted from Theta Foundation scholarships, so this seemed like the ideal way for her to give back. As an alumna she has volunteered for the Fraternity at the local, district, and international level and fostered life-long friendships with countless fellow Thetas she has met over the years. Alicia believes Theta is a place where you are loved regardless of who you are. She hopes recipients of this scholarship can achieve their educational goals knowing they are cherished and supported by those who came before them.

The Ann McIlrath Drake Scholarship is named for Ann Drake, Beta Omicron/Iowa. Ann established this scholarship to acknowledge and recognize the importance of her membership in Kappa Alpha Theta and the relationships she maintains to this day. She values the connections she has made with her Theta sisters and hopes to enable the same experience for women who come after her, even beyond her own chapter. Ann hopes that recipients of this scholarship “gain a lifelong sense of community and responsibility along with an index of friends and connections that they maintain even after their time in Theta.”

The Alpha Gamma Golden Thetas Scholarship was created by a group of alumnae from the Alpha Gamma/Ohio State chapter, initiated between the years of 1966 and 1969. They remained close friends throughout college and into their alumnae years, joining forces to establish this scholarship to celebrate their membership as 50-year, or “golden,” Thetas. They hope that this scholarship will help active members enjoy their college experience with less financial stress, empowering them to make a difference within Theta, at Ohio State University, and beyond.

The Founders Memorial Scholarships are Theta Foundation’s most prestigious awards, valued at $12,000 each. Awarded to the top four junior applicants every year, the recipients are intentionally matched with a specific founder based on their shared accomplishments and characteristics. Bettie was the lead founder of Kappa Alpha Theta, defying conventions of the time after being denied full membership to her brother’s fraternity. Bettie was among the first women to be accepted to and attend Indiana Asbury (now DePauw University) and became a teacher after college at a school for children with developmental disabilities.

The Founders Memorial Scholarships are Theta Foundation’s most prestigious awards, valued at $12,000 each. Awarded to the top four junior applicants every year, the recipients are intentionally matched with a specific founder based on their shared accomplishments and characteristics. Bettie was known as a fierce friend and advocate for those who needed it most. She was heavily involved in charitable and community activities and had an aptitude for mathematics and science. While she started college at Indiana Asbury, she finished her education at a college in Kentucky where she established a short-lived Theta chapter.

The Cardelucci Family Scholarship was established by Cathie Cardelucci, Beta Xi/UCLA (pictured center), and her two Theta daughters, Jessica Nugent, Eta Sigma/Chapman (pictured left), and Catherine Jara, Beta Xi/UCLA (pictured right). All three women have had amazing Theta experiences that helped shape who they are today and want that same experience for the women who will come after them. The Eta Sigma chapter at Chapman University holds a special place in their hearts. Cathie has served as an advisor for the chapter since its establishment in 2008, Jessica was part of the first new member class, and Catherine spent most of her college years attending Eta Sigma events. Cathie had the honor and privilege to initiate both of her daughters into Kappa Alpha Theta, Jessica as an undergraduate, and Catherine as an alumna. They hope this scholarship gives recipients every possible opportunity to succeed and realize their academic and personal dreams.

The Cathie Waters Cardelucci Scholarship is named for Cathie Cardelucci, Beta Xi/UCLA. Cathie is part of a four-generation Greek family, with all family members crediting their respective fraternities and sororities for many of their accomplishments. Cathie is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Thetas, and hopes this scholarship will assist with college education access. Initiated in 1980, Cathie has held many Theta leadership positions over the years, including Theta Foundation vice president, alumnae chapter president, and advisory board chair (ABC). She has an infinite love for Theta ritual, helping initiate over 2,000 new members into our sisterhood. She strives to help her Theta sisters reach their fullest potential with the loving support and life-long friendship promised to each member at initiation.

The Deborah Bornmann Allen Scholarship is named for Debbie Allen, Delta Theta/Florida. Debbie’s late husband and son recommended she establish a scholarship in her name to recognize her many years of volunteering for Kappa Alpha Theta. Debbie wants the recipients of this scholarship to know how important it was for her to give back to Theta with both her time and treasure. This scholarship is meant to help those who need financial assistance and allow them the opportunity to work less and study more – as well as have the financial stability to remain in Theta. She hopes that they find happiness and a bond that lasts a lifetime, just as she has.

The Dinah Hampton McClymonds Scholarship is named for Dinah McClymonds, Alpha Omicron/Oklahoma. Dinah’s husband surprised her with this scholarship on her 60th birthday. She shared that this scholarship has been a wonderful source of pride and a yearly reminder of the importance of her Theta membership. Dinah has served as a Foundation trustee as well as in fundraising roles for four alumnae chapters. Through her service, she learned the importance of giving back to Theta, and she now tries to share that message with Thetas everywhere. Dinah wants recipients of this scholarship to stay dedicated to their goals in honor of the Thetas who came before them and supported their dreams.