Scholarships

KAPA – Kansas Academy of PA Endowed Fellowship

Eligibility:

The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student entering the first year of the WSU PA Master's Program.

1) Recipient must meet and maintain good academic and professional standing within the program.

2) Preference given to students from Kansas who plan to practice in Kansas after graduation.

3) Preference given to students with strong academic potential.

4) Financial need will be considered.

5) No recipient will be excluded from consideration based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, status as a veteran, genetic information, or disability. 

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About the Donor

KAPA has had a strong relationship with the WSU PA Program for decades, but in 2006 KAPA solidified this assistance by establishing this Endowed Fellowship. KAPA serves as the official representative voice of Kansas PAs and is a constituent organization of the American Academy of Physician Associates.  KAPA’s mission is to enhance the quality of medical care for the citizens of Kansas by providing medical education to PAs, other health professionals, legislative and governing bodies, and the public.  KAPA accomplishes this by promoting quality, cost-effective, and accessible health care, and by supporting the professional and personal development of PAs. 

Lary – Marvis J. Lary PA Endowed Fellowship

Eligibility:

1. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student entering the first year of the WSU PA Master's Program.
2. Recipient must meet and maintain good academic and professional standing within the Program.
3. Preference given to students demonstrating academic engagement in leadership and community and other qualities/traits exhibited by Dr. Lary.
4. Financial need will be considered.
5. No recipient will be excluded from consideration based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, status as a veteran, genetic information, or disability.  

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About the Donor

Dr. Marvis Lary began her career as a PA in 1972 in the WSU PA Program. She was one of only two females in the first class of 12 students.  After graduating in 1975, she worked in family medicine for 20 years.  Seeing the value of higher education, Dr. Lary earned a bachelor’s degree in 1978 and a master’s in 1986, both from WSU.  In 1991, she earned her doctorate from Kansas State University.  In 1987, she joined the PA Department and became the first female Program Director in 1989.  Early in 2001, she was promoted to Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Research in the College of Health Professions.  At that time, the PA faculty and staff established the Dr. Marvis Lary Scholarship Fund to honor her long-time commitment to students.  Marvis’ warmth, intelligence, diligence, and courage made her the backbone of the WSU PA Program for well over a decade.  She was a pioneer for the PA profession and PA education and particularly for women within the profession.  Marvis had an innate ability to inspire, lift, and advance those around her to do the same; thus, her influence is multiplied by everyone she taught and mentored.  See our Distinguished & Emeritus Faculty page for more information about Dr. Lary's contributions to the WSU PA Program and profession.

Scanlan – Drs. Tim & Kim Scanlan Endowed Fellowship

Eligibility:

1. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student entering the first year of the WSU PA Master's Program.
2. Recipient must meet and maintain good academic and professional standing within the Program.
3. Preference given to students demonstrating academic engagement in leadership and community.
4. At the donor's request, preference given to US citizens.
5. Financial need will be considered.
6. No recipient will be excluded from consideration based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, status as a veteran, genetic information, or disability.

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About the Donor

Dr. Tim Scanlan received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. He is a family medicine physician with over 50 years of experience in medicine and over 20 years specializing in addiction medicine.  Dr. Scanlan was very active in the Wichita medical community serving on the boards of the Hunter Health Clinic, DUI Victim Center, College of Health Professions Dean’s Advisory Committee, and Medical Director for the WSU PA Program for a number of years.  Dr. Kim Scanlan received her doctorate in organization and management from Capella University and worked for Boeing/Spirit for more than 25 years in human resources and corporate services positions.  After leaving Spirit, she worked at St. Thomas Aquinas Church as parish administrator prior to her retirement.  The Scanlans were also active on numerous community boards during their time in Wichita and were blessed by their family and many friends.  After retiring in 2011, they moved back to Minnesota.  The Scanlans first met when they both returned to WSU to earn their Master of Business Administration degrees in 1988 and 1986 respectively.  They are lifetime members of the WSU Alumni Association.

Shaw – Clayton H. Shaw PA Student Society Endowed Fellowship

Eligibility:

1. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student entering the second year of the WSU PA Master's Program.
2. Recipient must meet and maintain good academic and professional standing with the Program.
3. Preference given to students expressing an interest in primary care.
4. Preference given to those who excel academically during the Program and demonstrate other qualities/traits exhibited by Clay Shaw.
5. Financial need will be considered.
6. No recipient will be excluded from consideration based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, status as a veteran, genetic information, or disability. 

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About the Donor

Clay graduated from WSU in 1977, later also earning a bachelor's degree from WSU in Health Science in 1991. Clay was one of the first PAs in Kansas and was instrumental in professional and political issues promoting the PA profession including serving as president of the Kansas Academy of PAs and being named as KAPA PA of the Year in 2003.  Clay worked at the Sumner County Family Care Center, Mulvane as a rural primary health provider from 1977 until his retirement.  Clay served as one of students’ all-time favorite PA preceptors for nearly 25 years.  After being diagnosed with advanced colon cancer, his friends and colleagues worked to add his name to this Student Society Fellowship and conducted a fund-raising effort to increase the endowment.  Clay passed away on May 28, 2012.  Hundreds attended the service.  Clay Shaw was well-known and loved within the PA community and embodied patient-centered, holistic, emotional, and spiritual healthcare.  He was known and loved for seeing and treating each patient as an individual with gentleness and genuine compassion.  The impact he had on his community and the PA profession spanned generations. 

Gates – Harold P. “Hal” Gates Memorial Fellowship

Eligibility:

1. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student entering the second year of the WSU PA Master's Program.
2. Recipient must meet and maintain good academic and professional standing within the Program.
3. Award is made without regard to financial need.
4. Preference given to those who demonstrate active engagement in leadership and community.
5. No recipient will be excluded from consideration based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, status as a veteran, genetic information, or disability. 

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About the Donor

In 1989, the Harold P. "Hal" Gates Memorial Fellowship was established by his family in his honor. Mr. Gates received his Bachelor of Arts in Biological Science from WSU in 1951.  Additionally, he was instrumental in the creation of the PA Program at WSU and was responsible for the program acquiring anatomy guides and nearly 5,000 anatomical slides necessary for student education.  Mr. Gates remained in touch with the Program after its founding and attended every graduation.  Hal’s wife, La Verne Gates, and family hand selected the student fellowship recipients every year until her passing in 2019.  Their daughter Ann Gates graduated from the WSU PA Program in 2000 and practiced in Kansas for many years.  She was appointed by the Governor to the State of Kansas PA Council of the Kansas Board of Healing Arts in 2021. 

Aaron McKinney Memorial in PA Fellowship

Eligibility:

1. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student entering the second year of the WSU PA Master's Program.
2. Recipient must meet and maintain good academic and professional standing within the Program.
3. Award is made without regard to financial need.
4. Preference given to first responders.
5. Preference given to those with a demonstrated athletic commitment and other qualities/traits exhibited by Aaron McKinney.
6. No recipient will be excluded from consideration based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, status as a veteran, genetic information, or disability.

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About the Donor

Aaron grew up in Junction City, KS.  In 2003 he married Tanya Diane Eckhoff in Hutchinson, KS and they were blessed with three children, Colin Dean, Ella Opal, and Jackson Lee.  Aaron worked as an EMT and fireman in Junction City and Wichita before graduating from WSU in 2013.  As a PA Aaron remained true to his rural roots by working in clinics and emergency rooms in Atwood, St. Francis, Sedan, and Hoxie.  Aaron unexpectedly lost his life in 2014 at the age of 33 when his bicycle was struck by a car as he was training for a triathlon.  Aaron enjoyed outdoor activities and maintained good physical condition – hunting, soccer, marathons, Ironman Triathlon, running Pikes Peak.  Aaron was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, worked with youth, and earned his Eagle Scout Badge at age 16.  Aaron was known by colleagues and patients as a gentle and compassionate soul who dearly loved his wife, children, family, and friends.  Celebrating accomplishments with spaghetti dinners, traveling and exploring, and delighting in his nightly bowl of Blue Bell ice cream were just some of the ways life and love were shared together.  The McKinney Fellowship provides financial support to second year WSU PA students who are first responders and demonstrate athletic commitment and other qualities/traits exhibited by Aaron.