Named Scholarships

Created by the former Adams Community Church, the scholarship fund to support a graduate of Wheelersburg, Minford, Portsmouth East, or South Webster High Schools and pursuing a Health Sciences degree with financial need.

Created by American Savings Bank, the scholarship was created for employees and/or their children or grandchildren.

Created by Ada Appleton to help students with financial needs and to give back to the community that helped make Donald’s, her husband, medical practice possible.

Created by Arthur D. Lynn and Margaret Lynn Koegle, in memory of their parents, Arthur Dellert and Helen Willis Lynn. The scholarship awards students pursuing a degree in law or medicine.

Created by Anne Hossman to honor her husband, to provide financial aid for students and to support growth of SSU.

Created by Barnes & Noble Campus Bookstore to award annual textbook scholarships to students.

Created to help students who are close to completing a degree overcome financial hurdles that may be keeping them from reaching their goals.

Created in memory of Betty, by sons Eddie and Joe Edwards, to provide assistance and support for meritorious nursing students.

Created by Centrus Energy Corp. American Centrifuge Plant to award current employees or their immediate family members to pursue an undergraduate degree.

Created by Imogene Howland to assist students majoring in paralegal or legal assisting.

Created by retired faculty members, Drs. Julia Coll and Frank Byrne, the scholarship awards students traveling abroad with demonstrated excellence in foreign language.

Created by the Courtney Todt Lung Transplant Fund of Wesley United Methodist Church to honor Courtney Todt and awards students pursuing professions with positive impact on children.

The scholarship honors three generations of the Covert Family and serves to give back to the community to help others achieve their potential, particularly in the performing arts.

Created by bequest of Zella H. Besco, mother of David, the scholarship awards students majoring in Education with a concentration in Math.

Established by Dr. George and Sandy White in 2017 to support full-time SSU freshman students who are veteran, or the immediate family or decedent of Vietnam War-era veterans.

Created by Dr. Hagop S. Pambookian, Emeritus Professor of Psychology.

Created by Kay Boynton Reynolds and family and friends to preserve the memory of Dr. Boynton, long-time Scioto County veterinarian.

Created in honor of Dr. James Barbar, uncle of Dr. Thomas Khoury, for all of his contributions through original works of poetry.

Created by Dr. John Walker and Mrs. Linda Walker to honor teachers they deeply respected and awardes graduates of Portsmouth West High school pursuing a health sciences or natural sciences degree.

Created by SSU’s Board of Trustees in honor of former University President Rita Morris. The scholarship awards senior students who have exhausted all funding sources to help them complete graduation.

Created by Dr. Robert L. Wilson, former professor at SSU, the award aids student committed to the writing of poetry.

Created by Matilda Asch, in memory of her husband, the scholarship was the first created following the passage of the bill to change from community college to a university.

Created from proceeds of a property sale deeded to SSU’s Development Foundation by Dr. Spencer W. Miller, the scholarship honors Dr. and Mrs. Miller for their years of service and in appreciation of their support to SSU.

Created through the Estate of Mrs. Ruth Kirkendall. Ruth and her husband, Edward, were members of the Golden Bears and dedicated fans of SSU’s Athletics.

Created by bequest of Eva McCowen Keller to honor her father, Edward O. McCowen, and her brother, Edward R. (Rex) McCowen.

Created by bequest of Mrs. Elliott, the scholarship awards students majoring in secondary or elementary education.

Created by Rosemary Poston and re-established by Mary Ann Malone, to assist students with unforeseen circumstances.

Created by son, Jim, and his wife, Elaine, in memory of Emile Jividen, a welding teacher at SSU.

Created by Dr. John J. Whitaker, SSU Professor of Math Sciences, to honor SSU Professors Orville Ferguson and Virginia Hamilton, and Cheryl Knox, SSU alum and supporter of the Mathematical Sciences Department.

Created by Carolyn Byrne, in memory of her husband, to help students who excel in foreign languages and linguistics.

Created in memory of Mr. Hyland and his wife, Helen, avid SSU supporters.

The scholarship was created to honor Frank’s years as president of SSU and its forerunners and to education in general.

Established by the Development Foundation to award undesignated annual scholarship giving to deserving SSU students.

Created by bequest of Zella H. Besco, in honor of her husband, the scholarship awards students majoring in Teacher Education with a concentration in English.

Created by Dr. George and Carolyn Pettit, the scholarship assists international students and programming expenses for SSU’s Center for International Programs.

Created to honor Gina’s love of dental hygiene. The scholarship was created by her parents, Toby and Joyce Smalley, Lucas and Clark Family Dentistry and family and friends.

Created in honor of President Ginnie Wagner, the scholarship awards Portsmouth High School graduates accepted into the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

Created for students of New Boston to pursue a higher education.

Created by Glockner Enterprises and awarded to students from Scioto County for their volunteer services in the community.

Created through the Estate of Loretta C. Woods, a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1950 to 1958.

Created by James H. Butt II and Stephen P. Butt, in memory of their cousin, Gurney Margaret Noel, lifelong Scioto County resident and English teacher at Portsmouth High School and Ohio University.

Created from proceeds of the President’s Ball in honor of Harold Micklethwaite.

Created by SSU Faculty to assist Honors Program students.

High school graduate or GED recipient with a 2.5 GPA. This scholarship is intended to encourage all students to attend college, so a high GPA is not necessary. Required program: Business.

Applicant must be a full-time student at SSU that has been accepted into one of the Allied Health programs, seeking either an associate or baccalaureate degree. Applicant must be entering the first year of that program. Must reside in Scioto County and exhibit financial need.

Created by Clara Diddle Craver and Patricia Diddle Kegley, daughters of Ira and Flora, in honor of their parents. The scholarship assists students in the fields of natural or physical science, medical profession, or teaching.

Created by J. William McKinley to honor his father, Joseph, a teacher of many years.

Created by James and Mabel Blair to encourage middle income students to pursue a college degree.

Created by OSCO Industries, Mrs. James B. Miller and Ward Miller, Jr., in memory of James. The scholarship aids students majoring in Business.

Created in 2022 by Jerry and Sue Mann, the scholarship awards students majoring in Nursing - ADN, BSN, or other related Nursing program.

Applicant must be majoring in B.S. Natural Sciences with Geology concentration, must have completed 12 credit hours of required Geology courses at SSU, grade of “B” or better in all Geology courses, overall GPA 3.0 or higher.

Created by John G. LeBrun, retired chemist of Cyclops Corporation, for students with financial need.

Graduate of Portsmouth West High School with a 3.0 GPA. Must be accepted in an Allied Health program.

Created by Bruce Canter to honor his wife, the scholarship awards students pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Education.

Created to aid, encourage students pursuing a degree in a “helping profession.”

Created by husband, Fred Thomas to honor his wife and to reward academic excellence for students in need.

Created by Dr. John and Mrs. Linda Walker for Portsmouth West High School students pursuing a degree in education.

Created by Dr. John H. Lorentz, Professor Emeritus of History at SSU, and Carol Lorentz Gandolfo, in memory of their parents, Mr. Charles A. and Mary Bliss Lorentz.

Created in memory of C. Hobert Lute and his wife, Izetta, founders of the company in 1952.

Applicant must be a student enrolled in a school district in Scioto County or in Notre Dame Schools with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and pursuing a baccalaureate degree.

Applicant must be an employee or relative of an employee at Hill View Retirement Center with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Created by the estate of Mary Elizabeth, long-time teacher, to provide financial aid to students studying English literature.

Created in honor of Eustace “Matt” Matthews, former Director of Student Support Services and Coordinator of Multi-Cultural Student Affairs at SSU.

Created by a bequest from James McElhaney, the scholarship awards out-of-region freshmen students.

Created by Brent and Karen McGinnis for Portsmouth West High School graduates pursuing a degree in Mathematics.

Created by Gary and Marilyn Hairston in honor of their son, Michael, former SSU art student.

Created in memory of Nathan by parents, Gerald and Cynthia, to foster the growth of SSU and award academic and athletic excellence in area students.

Created by Neal and Vicky Hatcher for students residing on-campus who live within 50 miles of SSU.

Created by Neal and Vicky Hatcher to support SSU and its full-time residential housing students.

Created by Nellie Niswonger, a long-time teacher dedicated to the education system of the Portsmouth area.

Created by J. William McKinley to honor his mother, Octavia, long-time area nurse.

Applicant must be a graduate of Minford High School and remain in good academic standing.

Created by Philip Jenkins, the scholarship awards a resident of Scioto County, Ohio or Greenup or Lewis County, Kentucky.

Created by Mendy Sissel, Occupational Therapy program instructor, to honor her parent’s commitment to education.

Created by William J. and Patricia J. Richards, former member of SSU’s Board of Trustees and Development Foundation, to award students in Allied Health areas.

Created through the estate of Robert C. and Jean C. Kramer, the scholarship awards students majoring in the business field.

Created to honor Robin Hagen-Smith, former SSU Women’s Basketball Coach and Ohio College Basketball Hall of Fame member who won the National Tournament.

Created by Roger Padron, the scholarship awards academic excellence and supports the growth of SSU.

Created by Ron LeMaster, past President of SSU’s Development Foundation (1998-99), the scholarship was established to help students better themselves.

Created by the Portsmouth Rotary Club to assist international students at SSU.

Created by family and friends to honor SSU basketball player, Sean Elliott.

Created by the Sherman Family to advance the study of the insurance industry or business related degree.

The SOPAA Fine & Performing Arts Scholarship was established in 2021 by the Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association to honor their mission to “enhance, educate and entertain.”

Created by his wife, Susan, the scholarship is a legacy of Stan’s love of learning.

Established in 2018 by Stanley Electric US Company to provide financial aid to students pursuing a degree in Engineering Technologies.

Must be pursuing a degree in Plastics Engineering Technologies, Computer Engineering Technologies, CADD, Electromechanical Engineering Technologies, or Technical Study. Must demonstrate financial need with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA, be full time student at SSU, remain in good academic standing and accept award in 1/2 increments. Must have completed two full semesters at SSU.

Created by wife, Kay, with friends and family, in memory of Tom, former chairperson of SSU’s Board of Trustees and President SSU’s Development Foundation Board.

Award is for outstanding research that is investigative, project-based, inquiry-based, open-minded, and/or exploratory; and that posts a broad category of analysis relevant to scholarly conversations in one or more disciplines.

Created from proceeds of the 1998 President’s Gala which honored Dr. Clive Veri’s retirement as SSU’s President, the scholarship honors Dr. Clive Veri and Mrs. Veri.

Created to honor Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives and Founder Emeritus of SSU, Vernal G. Riffe, Jr., for his dedication to Ohio, especially its students.

Created by bequest of Virginia Schwepe, in memory of her husband, to help students in need.

Created by Victor & Betty Morgan, in memory of their son, to benefit the students at SSU.

Created by Doug McGinnis in memory of his mother, Vivian, and awards students pursuing a Nursing degree.

Created by his daughter, Sidney Burr, to honor Mr. Ellsesser. The scholarship commemorates his love of Portsmouth and assists students majoring in Athletic Training or Sports Management.

Created by Anne Strehle, former teacher, the scholarship awards graduates of Green High School.

Created to honor Wayne White, first director of the Ohio Appalachian Center for Higher Education, and his commitment to SSU and education.

Created by the Miller siblings, Annis, Rosamond, Henry and Ward, in their brother’s memory, a past President of SSU’s Development Foundation and committee chairman for Reach for the Stars campaign.