P-12 Physical Education Scholarships
Scholarship Deadline
The deadline to apply for scholarships is now April 19th, 2024.
These scholarships will be awarded for the 2024-2025 academic year.
There are scholarships available at departmental, college and university level. Within the departmental level, there are 14 scholarships, with six of those being exclusive to PE majors (Birrell Dinnetz P.E. Scholarship, LeaAnn Martin Scholarship for Physical Educators, Roy and Margaret Clumpner Annual Scholarship, Ruth Weythman Van Wickle Scholarship, Susan Joy Stevens Scholarship Fund and Williams. P.E. Scholarship).
Scroll down for submission requirements and forms.
This scholarship is funded by Birrell Dinnetz, an individual recognized as an outstanding physical education teacher as well as a coach. Following graduation from the University of Washington in 1946, she taught for four years in the middle schools in Mukilteo; from there she moved to Everett schools and taught at Everett and Cascade High Schools for 28 years.
Eligibility and Criteria includes:
- Declared P-12 Physical Education major within the Department of Health and Human Development
- Submit an essay describing your community service involving children and how it has prepared you for a career in teaching Physical Education
- Recipient of this scholarship is to be chosen by the Dean and his or her designee.
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.
Dr. LeaAnn Martin began teaching in the Kinesiology and Physical Education program at Western Washington University in 1991. Over the course of her career, she has educated, trained, mentored and inspired hundreds of students who have gone on to become respected, and in many cases, award-winning physical educators. During her time at WWU, she was named the College Professional Physical Educator of the Year, was awarded Western’s Peter J. Elich Excellence in Teaching Award and served as the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The fund may be used to pay any costs related to professional certification, licensing and educational expenses, including but not limited to, test fees, certification fees, application and finger printing fees, tuition, books, materials, supplies, etc.
Eligibility and Criteria includes:
- Declared major in P-12 Physical Education and Health
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Be enrolled in P-12 Physical Education and Health at the beginning of fall quarter
- Demonstrate experience and/or potential for teaching and leadership in the Physical Education and Health profession
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:
- One course in Wilderness as a First Responder at WWU,
- One course in avalanche training, or
- 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 endowment is to provide support for students in the Health and Human Development Department.
Eligibility and Criteria includes:
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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 annual scholarship is funded by Roy and Margaret Clumpner. Roy Clumpner taught physical education pedagogy for 30 years as well as serving as Department Chair for four in what was then known as the Department of Physical Education, Health and Recreation. During his 30 years in the department, he was instrumental in the development of the secondary pedagogy program and together with his teaching partner, LeaAnn Martin (elementary) created the “Block Program” which is one of the most respected pedagogy programs in North America as students begin working on their teaching skills the first quarter in the six-quarter program. This scholarship is intended to assist those interested in teaching physical education skills and have promise but do not have the financial resources to do so and are the first in their family to go to college.
Eligibility and Criteria includes:
- Written statement of financial need with supporting documentation
- First generation college student
- Minimum GPA as required by program
- Letter from a professional who has observed the applicant work with children or adolescents and shows promise as a potential teacher
Priority:
- Physical Education majors with the intention to teach at the elementary or secondary levels
- Evidence of promise as a potential teacher (see "Letter from a professional..." above)
- Admission to Woodring College of Education
This scholarship is available for undergraduates enrolled in the Physical Education and Health P- 12 program. The recipient of this scholarship will be selected by the Physical Education and Health P-12 faculty.
Eligibility and Criteria includes:
- Student majoring in Physical Education
- Demonstrated service to the university or community
- Minimum GPA of 3.3
- Senior status
The scholarship is to be awarded by the Physical Education and Health P-12 faculty.
This scholarship honors Susan Joy Stevens who graduated from Western and went on to become an internationally-renowned champion athlete and a beloved teacher and coach. To Susan, good sportsmanship was the true test of a person’s worth.
Eligibility and Criteria includes:
- Physical Education majors, not to exceed three consecutive years for any one recipient
- Preference will be made first to applicants who demonstrate financial need and then
- Preference to students with outstanding academic merit, as determined by selection committee on a year-to-year basis
This scholarship honors Dr. Lloyd Williams who received two Bachelors of Art degrees from Western in the late 40’s. He was both a teacher and coach for 28 years in Washington State. Scholarships are for students in the department who intend to teach at the elementary or secondary level.
Eligibility and Criteria includes:
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Applicants shall be Washington state residents and given preference in the following order: Graduates from Arlington, Marysville, Snohomish, Washington public schools
The following criteria for award are to be considered in the following order of priority:
- Physical Education majors with a stated intention to teach at the elementary or secondary level
- Financial need as determined by the selection committee
- Applicants who have voluntarily participated in community service, youth, or political activities
- Academic performance as determined by grade point average
This scholarship honors Willis L. Ball, class of 1956, the first African American to graduate from Western Washington University in 1956.
Eligibility and Criteria includes:
- Scholarship will be awarded to a student majoring in Physical Education, Community Health or Recreation
- Recipient must be from an underrepresented racial or ethnic minority
- Recipient must demonstrate financial need
- Recipient must demonstrate academic promise and community service
This scholarship is privately funded, and award amount varies from year to year. The criteria may be changed by the Board of Directors of the Western Foundation.
Departmental Scholarship Submission Requirements
Items Submitted By You
Submit the following items in one email to: Sue.Hutchings@wwu.edu
- Selection Form
- Scholarship Application
- Transcript (can be unofficial) from all institutions attended
- Essays that address the required criteria for each scholarship you are applying for. (Please see individual scholarship for essay requirements. If applying for more than one scholarship that requires an essay, you may submit all essays in one document.)
Items Submitted by Third Party
Please have ONE reference complete the Scholarship Recommendation Form (may not be from a WWU Physical Education faculty member).
If you apply for multiple scholarships, only one recommendation is required.
Please note that the Jake Merrill Outdoor Leadership Scholarship and the Margaret Aitken Scholarship require THREE references.
Send your reference the link to this page to download the form and ask them to email the completed form to: Sue.Hutchings@wwu.edu