Kinesiology Scholarships

This scholarship honors Chappelle Arnett, who taught at Western for 30 years and was Department Chair from 1980 to 1988. Dr. Arnett made significant contributions to physical education at the elementary level and was responsible for initiating the development of the department’s kinesiology curriculum.

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

• This scholarship is for undergraduates pursuing a degree in Kinesiology or P-12 Physical Education
• Demonstrated service to the university or community

The criteria may be changed upon receipt of written instruction from the Department of Health and Human Development and with written approval from the Western Foundation.
 

This scholarship is funded by Western through the Western Washington University Foundation (contingent on funding).

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

• Declared major in Community Health, P-12 Physical Education, Recreation, or Kinesiology in the fall term of the year in which they receive the award. At the time of application the student must be a major or a pre-major in the Department of Health and Human Development
• Essay demonstrating participation in university and/or community/school major-related programs and activities
   

The Double-Eagle III Scholarship was made possible by the generosity of Captain Margit Loser and Captain Frances Frazier. The Double-Eagle III Scholarship will be awarded to the student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and potential through professional experience, or volunteer activities in the service of others. Preference will be given to Recreation Majors.

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

• Students majoring in the Health and Human Development Department, with preference to students whose emphasis is on Recreation
• Demonstration of leadership qualities through professional experiences, or volunteer activity in the service of others
• Recipients must be U.S. citizens

This scholarship is awarded by the Chair of the Health and Human Development Department or his/her designee.
 

The Jake Merrill Fund for Outdoor Leadership, Safety and Training was established to honor Jake Merrill’s commitment to education and quality outdoor leadership. Awards will be made annually to students who demonstrate financial need, potential in the area of outdoor leadership, and a commitment to the development of community through outdoor engagement.

The purpose of these training awards is to provide support for students at Western Washington University who are interested in further developing their outdoor leadership skills, especially in the area of wilderness medical training, avalanche training and awareness, and high angle rescue. The award recipients will receive one of three opportunities:

1. One course in Wilderness as a First Responder at WWU,
2. One course in avalanche training, or
3. One course in high angle rescue.

The scholarships are made possible by Mt. Baker Mountain Guides (John Minier, owner), North Cascades Mountain Guides (Larry Goldie, owner), and the Jake Merrill Program Endowment.

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

A short essay that addresses the criteria in Jake Merrill Outdoor Leadership Training Awards

This scholarship was established to honor Jake Merrill’s commitment to education and to quality outdoor leadership. Each year an award will be made to a student(s) who demonstrated financial need, potential in the area of outdoor leadership, and a commitment to the development of community through outdoor engagement.

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

• A completed scholarship application form
• A short essay addressing the following criteria (not to exceed 1000 words):
  • Outstanding potential in the field of outdoor leadership
  • Financial need
  • A commitment to using outdoor leadership to develop and foster a strong sense of community
• Minimum GPA 3.0
• Three letters of recommendation (may not be a Recreation faculty member)

This scholarship is awarded by the Health and Human Development Department or his/her designee.
 

This scholarship honors Jean Crowell. The Crowell family, having been a part of the medical community in Whatcom County, wished to offer scholarships through Western.

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

• Scholarships will be awarded annually to outstanding students majoring in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Pre-Physical Therapy.
• Students must be full time students
• Demonstrate significant financial need

Each scholarship award distribution shall be a minimum of $1,000. The criteria may be changed upon receipt of written instruction of the donor and with approval by the Western Foundation.
 

The purpose of this scholarship endowment is to provide support for students with outstanding academic merit in the Health and Human Development Department majoring in Kinesiology. Preference should be made to applicants who demonstrate a financial need and are engaged in research/scholarship in Kinesiology.

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

• Scholarship shall be awarded to a student majoring in Kinesiology
• Demonstrate a financial need
• Engaged in research/scholarship in Kinesiology

This scholarship is awarded by the Health and Human Development Department or his/her designee.
 

This scholarship endowment is to provide support for students in the Health and Human Development Department.

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

• HHD major interested in wellness, fitness and health promotion

• Academic performance may be a consideration, but need not be an only factor
• Preference given to students who, in the judgment of faculty, will make an enduring contribution to professions that support preventative approaches for maintaining health and fitness

This scholarship is awarded by the Health and Human Development Department or his/her designee.
 

This scholarship honors Margaret Aitken, who taught at Western for 38 years and was the Physical Education Department Chair from 1964 to 1980. The scholarship varies in the number of awards given from year to year.

Eligibility & Criteria includes:

• Pursuing a degree in P-12 Physical Education or Kinesiology
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Teaching experience in P-12 Physical Education
• Three letters of recommendation (one of which should be a departmental faculty member), plus an official transcript
• Application requires written statements about professional experience and future goals
• Preferably will be awarded to a student for the academic year. Summer school applicants may be considered

The criteria may be changed upon receipt of written instruction from the donor with the approval by the Western Foundation.
 

This $1,000 scholarship is funded annually by Ralph and Carolyn Vernacchia. Ralph Vernacchia served as faculty at Western in the Physical Education, Health, and Recreation Department (now the Health and Human Development Department); member of Sport/Psychology/Kinesiology.

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

• Declared Sport Psychology major
• Minimum junior status at time of application
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Completion of KIN 320 (Sport Psychology) with a grade of B or better
• Currently a member of a WWU Intercollegiate Athletic Team

Should there be no students who fit the criteria, the scholarship will carry forward to the following year.