Scholarships Directory
Theta Foundation is proud to manage over 200 endowed scholarship funds, each thoughtfully established to make a difference in the lives of our members. Because of this generosity, Theta Foundation awards over $800,000 in scholarship funding to Theta collegians and alumnae every year. These scholarships empower recipients to achieve their academic, personal, and professional goals without the financial burden of higher education.
Behind every scholarship is a story. This directory is a window into the unique stories of the individuals and chapters who have dedicated their time and treasure to the educational advancement of Thetas past, present, and future.
Mary Jane Parker Beach Scholarship
The Mary Jane Parker Beach Scholarship is named for Mary Jane Beach, Beta Nu/Florida State (pictured left). The very first scholarship from this fund was awarded at Grand Convention in 2004 where Mary Jane presided as outgoing Fraternity president, a memorable surprise! Her Theta sisters established and funded this scholarship in honor of her service. She would like recipients to know how much Kappa Alpha Theta has positively impacted her life. Theta has blessed her with lifelong friendships and opportunities beyond which she could have ever dreamed. She hopes that recipients will find some relief from the financial burden of tuition and other academic costs through these funds, encouraging and inspiring them to be the very best they can be.
Melissa (Lissa) Luton Bradford/Nashville Alumnae Chapter Scholarship
The Melissa (Lissa) Luton Bradford/Nashville Alumnae Chapter Scholarship is named for Lissa Bradford, Alpha Eta/Vanderbilt. This scholarship was created to honor her years of service to Kappa Alpha Theta and the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC). Lissa has served Theta in numerous roles, most notably as Fraternity president and NPC delegate. For Lissa, Kappa Alpha Theta has meant an untold number of friends, young and old, very close and thousands of miles away. She has shared many things with her Theta sisters, including happiness, disappointment, success, and failure, but always the joy that comes with true sisterhood. She hopes that recipients of this scholarship receive the financial support needed to maintain their Theta and Panhellenic involvement and one day give others a leg up.
Monisa Cox Cline Scholarship
The Monisa Cox Cline Scholarship is named for Monisa Cline, Delta Theta/Florida. Monisa notes that her Theta experience was “truly life-altering” and some of her closest friends today are her Delta Theta sisters. As such, she wants to pay it forward and give back to the organization that enriched her life in so many ways. Monisa hopes that recipients of this scholarship are able to accomplish their goals. She hopes they feel empowered to make wise choices, work hard, and surround themselves with positive people.
Nancy Ross Perry Scholarship
The Nancy Ross Perry Scholarship was established by Ann Drake, Beta Omicron/Iowa, to honor the memory of her friend and fellow Theta sister. Ann, who was in the same member class as Nancy, describes her as an incredible friend and influence during their time as collegians. By honoring Nancy with this fund, Ann hopes that other Thetas will be given the opportunity to make connections that last a lifetime, just as they did. Ann wants recipients of this scholarship to treasure their Theta experience, uphold Theta’s values, and make the best of college and beyond.
Sharon Cirese Gassett Memorial Scholarship
The Sharon Cirese Gassett Memorial Scholarship is named after Sharon Gassett, Gamma Xi/San Jose State, and was created by her sister, Charleen Boyl, Gamma Xi/San Jose State. Sharon was a devoted Theta, serving on Grand Council at the time of her death. Her husband, sister, and parents agreed that this scholarship would be a wonderful way to honor Sharon’s life, serving as a memory of Sharon’s undeniable vibrancy. Aside from the many activities and traditions she was able to participate in, one of Sharon’s favorite memories was when Charleen pledged Theta at her very own chapter! Sharon’s family hopes recipients of this scholarship will come to appreciate and understand that Theta is a lifelong joy.
Sue Shane Sautermeister Scholarship
The Sue Shane Sautermeister Scholarship is named for Sue Sautermeister, Beta/Indiana. As a former teacher, Sue recognizes how critical it is that we have dedicated teachers entering the workforce today. She established this fund to help a Theta majoring in education with the costs of college. Theta means much to Sue both personally and professionally. She met her husband through Theta! Sue has served as Fraternity vice president as well as in other district and national roles. She hopes that recipients of this scholarship will get the chance to pay off college expenses.
Suzanne Sterling King Scholarship
The Suzanne Sterling King Scholarship is named for Suzie King, Gamma Phi/Texas Tech. When Suzie was diagnosed with lung cancer, two of her Theta sisters established this scholarship in her honor to recognize her 50 years of being a very active Theta. She was a chapter officer every year of her college career, a chapter advisor, an alumnae chapter president, and a Theta Foundation trustee. She is proud to be a Theta everywhere she goes! Suzie has appreciated her Theta sisters being by her side through her best and worst times, noting that no other organization she has belonged to has the same moral compass as Kappa Alpha Theta. She hopes that recipients of this scholarship appreciate what Theta stands for and give back to the sisterhood we treasure so dearly.
Virgina Burns Boynton Scholarship
The Virgina Burns Boynton Scholarship is named after the late Virginia “Ginger” Boynton, Alpha/DePauw, a third-generation Theta. Ginger and her late husband, Walter, established this scholarship as a tribute to one of their daughters, who has multiple sclerosis. The purpose of the fund is to provide financial assistance to Thetas who are pursuing graduate studies in the medical fields. There is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis, but the family holds onto hope, in part through this special scholarship.