Scholarships Directory

The Mary Elizabeth Donnell Mitchell Memorial Scholarship was established in loving memory of Mary Liz Mitchell, Gamma/Butler (pictured here on her wedding day), by her five children. Mary Liz lived a life filled with challenges, which she always met with love. Adopted by a couple in Indiana shortly after her birth, Mary Liz grew up near Butler University, where she would eventually go to college and join Kappa Alpha Theta. Although she started out as a chemistry major, she switched to journalism during her senior year to study alongside her eventual husband, Jim. Attending college during World War II, she worked in a pharmaceuticals company washing vaccination bottles in assembly line fashion outside of her coursework and social pursuits. Mary Liz raised five children and stayed active and independent into her adult years. She was involved in many creative pursuits, including drama, beekeeping, and birding. A favorite and frequent reminder to her children was “show a little initiative,” which she certainly did throughout her life.

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.

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.

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.

The Nancy Neville Adams Scholarship is named for Nancy Adams, Kappa/Kansas. It was established by her daughter, Susie Adams Smith, to honor the special bond shared by mothers and daughters who are also Theta sisters. Nancy was a proud member of the Houston Alumnae Chapter, a warm and gracious lady who never met a stranger. Reflecting her unbounded generosity, the Nancy Neville Adams Scholarship can be given to any collegian or alumna member pursuing either an undergraduate or graduate degree.

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.

The Pat Doomar Mierse Scholarship is named for Pat Mierse, Beta Nu/Florida State. In 1965, Pat became the first person from her family to obtain a college degree. It was during that time that she chose to join Kappa Alpha Theta, which Pat cites as one of the most important decisions she has ever made. As an only child, her Theta sisters have enriched her life in many ways – not only in college, but throughout her life. Her daughter even followed in her footsteps and became a Theta at Florida State as well! Pat believes that Theta is truly for a lifetime. She hopes her recipients have a similar experience on their educational and Theta membership journeys.

The Patricia Johnson Theil Scholarship is named for Patti Johnson Theil, Beta/Indiana. She established the scholarship to give back to Kappa Alpha Theta, an organization that shaped her college experience. Drawing on her own journey as a parent (having paid out-of-state college tuition for her children) Patti created this scholarship exclusively for out-of-state Thetas, with a preference for those majoring in business, her and her son’s field of study, or pre-medicine, inspired by her husband and daughter’s medical careers. She hopes recipients will carry forward her boundless energy, embrace a positive attitude, and spread kindness. Through this scholarship, Patti aims not only to ease financial barriers but also to foster the lifelong bonds and spirit of generosity that define Kappa Alpha Theta, encouraging scholars to pay it forward in turn.

The Phyllis Barnaby Memorial Scholarship is named for Phyllis Barnaby, Alpha Chi/Purdue. The scholarship was established by Phyllis’ former colleagues and longtime friends, a testament to just how loved she was by the Kappa Alpha Theta staff and many volunteers with whom she worked over the years. Phyllis was on staff at Theta Headquarters from 1992 – 2015 in the role of administrative assistant for the Fraternity and then the Foundation. Phyllis was incredibly thoughtful and sent many, many birthday cards to Thetas during her time on staff. It was not uncommon to hear her signature southern drawl throughout the office as she talked to members on the phone daily, learning all about them and their families. Phyllis was initiated at the Alpha Chi chapter as an alumna in 2008. While she didn’t have any children of her own, she always had an interest in seeing students accomplish their educational goals. With this scholarship, she would hope that recipients not only obtain financial support for their education, but also encouragement from their Theta sisters throughout college and beyond.

The Sally Cowan Reinhold Scholarship is named for Sally Reinhold, Psi/Wisconsin. Being part of Kappa Alpha Theta brought a lifetime of friends and sisters into Sally’s life. It also brought purpose; she was happiest when serving Theta. Sally volunteered for Theta in various different roles and over the course of many years. Whether it was founding and guiding the development of chapter facilities or making educational dreams a reality, she loved helping young women become their best. She attended a number of Grand Conventions with zeal; she was always exhausted afterwards, having spent the days laughing and reconnecting with her Theta sisters late into the night. A loyal friend, she lit up every room she entered and always wanted to make people happy. Sally would hope the recipients of this scholarship would also find the lifelong friendship that she found through Kappa Alpha Theta and commit their time to serving others, something she did eagerly and willingly.

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.

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.