The Golden Belt Community Foundation awards over $70,000 in scholarships to area students, each year. These wide-ranging scholarships, offered to high school graduates from Barton, Pawnee, Rush and Stafford County, Kansas, meet a variety of educational needs. Some scholarship funds are designed for students who do not receive substantial financial aid through traditional sources like college, high school or merit-based scholarships and are not awarded until after those determinations are made. Additionally, the Foundation has scholarship funds available to students attending vocational or other non-traditional schools. With its many scholarship offerings, the Foundation is proud to support the students in the communities it serves.
GBCF administers more than $1.3 million dollars in endowed scholarship funds for graduating high school seniors and current college students.
The 2020 scholarships and recipients are:
Steve and Mildred Reif Memorial Scholarship Fund
Lifetime Barton County, Kansas residents, Steve and Mildred Reif were married August 30th, 1950. They farmed near Odin where they raised their children along with cattle, wheat, and milo. Their sons, Melvin and Raymond, graduated from Odin High School while their daughters, Janet and Theresa, graduated from Hoisington High School. Always supportive of educational endeavors, Steve and Mildred encouraged their children and grandchildren to attend college. They all did and were appreciative of scholarships received. This fund continues Steve and Mildred's support of education for Hoisington High graduates.
Jacob Specht – Fort Hays State University
Allan V. Miller Family Scholarship Fund
This scholarship was established by Chari Manry and family, in memory of Allan Miller. Allan was a graduate of Ellinwood High School and attended Kansas State University. As a local farmer and rancher, he profoundly cared about the local agricultural industry. He was involved with the church, fair board, 4-H, and FFA.
Luke Wondra – Fort Hays State University
Amy C. Harter Memorial Scholarship Fund
Amy C. Harter's constant smile had a way of brightening up everybody’s day. Her strength, courage, spirit and love of Christ were the foundation of her in all she did for family and community.
Tristen Burger – Bethel College
BIll J. McKnown Memorial Scholarship (Art)
Bill J. McKown had a passion for scouting and art. He worked as a Ranger at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, the summer after his freshman year in college at the University of Kansas. His gift for art was nurtured with lessons since the third grade. He sculpted a bigger than life panther that still stands under glass in the Great Bend High School hallway. He established this scholarship fund to support students attending Barton Community College that have scouting experience or an interest in the art field.
Brittney Lefebvre – Barton Community College
Cap Proffitt Memorial Scholarship
Crockett A. "Cap" Proffitt graduated from Sterling High School. Formerly of the Alden/Sterling area, he became an Ellinwood resident in 1989 and was the manager of Barton County Feeders, Inc. He attended the First Baptist Church and was a member of American Legion; Rotary Club, Kansas Livestock Association, National Cattleman's Beef Association, GTO Association of America, Greater Wichita GTO Club, and was a board member and partner of Ellinwood Country Living. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and received the Purple Heart.
Luke Wondra - Fort Hays State University
Carla M. Yahne Memorial Scholarship Fund
Carla was lifetime resident of Great Bend. Caring about her community, she was active in numerous organizations including Barton County Desk and Derrick Club, Kansas Oil and Gas Museum, Community Food Bank of Barton County, the Girls’ Home and American Legion Auxiliary. This scholarship honors Carla’s memory and dedication to our community.
Joanna Sanchez – Fort Hays State University
Charles Lischesky Scholarship
The Great Bend Rotary Club offers this scholarship to honor Charles Lischesky. Charles was born in Wisconsin around 1875. He moved to Great Bend and was the owner and operator of the Lischesky Dry Goods Company in the early 1900’s. His wife’s name was Gertrude and they had one daughter, Alberta.
Israel Franco – Barton Community College
Effie I. Bank and Roy Banks Memorial Scholarship Fund
Effie Bank, the daughter of Thomas and Mattie Banks, was born in 1909. She married Lowell Bank (no ‘s’) in 1933, and they owned Pawnee Printing in Larned, KS. One of Effie’s brothers was Roy Banks. This scholarship was established to honor Effie Bank and her brother Roy Banks, of Larned.
Shelby Bisnette – Fort Hays State University
Ethel D. Holmes Scholarship Fund
Ethel Dell (Peppiatt) Holmes was born in August of 1892, on a farm near Ellsworth, KS. She was an early day school teacher in a one-room school house. Aunt Ethel was a woman of profound faith. She passed away in 1995, at age 102.
Nolan Barton – Kansas State University
Luke Maneth – University of Kansas
Lindsey Newman – Emporia State University
First American Baptist Church of Larned Scholarship Fund
The First American Baptist Church of Larned established this scholarship fund to support students that are active in their faith.
Ruthie Webster – Barton Community College
Frank W. Brinkman Memorial Scholarship Fund
Frank W. Brinkman was a Barton County resident deeply rooted in the banking industry. In 1874, his father established the J.V. Brinkman & Co. bank in Great Bend. The Brinkman family was known for their charitable acts. Frank passed away in the spring of 1962. In 1964, a scholarship fund was established to forever honor his legacy.
Patrick Heath – Wichita State University
Jeffrey Alan Bland Memorial Scholarship Fund
Jeff Bland was a lifelong resident of Larned, Kansas, and graduated from Larned High School in 1978. He was a junior at the University of Kansas at the time of his death. He was an accomplished pianist, flutist, and athlete. He was an officer of his fraternity and a member of KU Concert Band and KU Flute Choir. Jeff’s love and life touched many people.
Corrie Upson – Barton Community College
Kansas State University Scholarship Fund
Our KSU Scholarship Endowment Fund was established by alumni, both businesses and individuals, in Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford counties who wanted to assist local students in obtaining a college education from KSU.
Caleb Hildebrand – Kansas State University
Kaleigh Maier – Kansas State University
Tyler Specht – Kansas State University
Nolan Barton – Kansas State University
Baleigh Fry - Kansas State University
KU Honors Scholarship Fund
This scholarship fund was established to honor elite Barton County students attending the University of Kansas. Recipients were in the top 10% of their high school graduating class.
Luke Maneth – University of Kansas
Langford Engineering Scholarship Fund
The Langford family owned Doerr Metal Products, Inc. in Larned. The company used to produce various sizes of livestock water tanks. They established a to be awarded to a Larned High School graduate planning to major in Engineering with preference given to Mechanical Engineering, at a university in Kansas or Nebraska.
Callen Ayre – Kansas State University
Mingenback Family Scholarship Fund
The Mingenback family created this scholarship to honor the legacy of Dr. John Mingenback. “Dr. John” as he was known, embodied the characteristics of a servant leader. He was dedicated to the patient's understanding of dental health and preventative care. He felt the ultimate compliment, through his 47 years of practice, was coming to know three-to-four generations within a family who chose him to be their dentist. Dr. Mingenback loved his patients, took an interest in their lives, eased their pain, and followed the Golden Rule throughout his career in the Golden Belt.
Luke Maneth – University of Kansas
Paul J. Urban Memorial Scholarship Fund
Paul Urban graduated from Fort Hays State University and received his master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado. He was also a graduate of the Command and General Staff College of Fort Leavenworth. He served during World War II and was in the active Army and Reserve for 33 years and retired as a colonel. He taught for St. Joseph’s Military Academy and Great Bend High School for over 20 years. Paul went into real estate in 1973, becoming realtor of the year, and teaching real estate classes at Barton Community College. He was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and served on various church councils.
Fritzgerald Alexis – University of Kansas
Shailey Clark –Bethel College
Luke Maneth – University of Kansas
Ralph & Elinor Haneke Memorial Scholarship Fund
Ralph and Elinor Haneke were passionate about education. Ralph, an Ellis High School graduate, who enlisted in the Army during World War II instead of seeking higher education, was a successful, self-taught businessman and certified financial counselor. He was dedicated to helping youth through his work in church, Boy Scouts, Lions Club, and Habitat for Humanity. Elinor, a Great Bend High School and Fort Hays State University graduate; whose greatest love other than family were her students, became a 42-year veteran teacher for Great Bend public schools, working at Morrison Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High, and finally ending her teaching career at Great Bend High School teaching English.
Tashauna Arnold – Barton Community College
Ray A. Cheely Memorial Scholarship
Ray A. Cheely graduated from Great Bend High School in 1971, attended Barton Community College and graduated with an accounting degree in 1975 from Fort Hays State University. He went on to become a Certified Public Accountant. His business, Ray A. Cheely, Chartered, specialized in small business accounting and consulting as well as personal accounting and tax returns. He began work in the accounting firm in his junior year of high school and continued until his passing in 2009.
Riley Smith – Lincoln College of Technology - Denver
Ryan Hugh Dunlap Memorial Scholarship Fund
Ryan Dunlap was a graduate of Great Bend High School, Barton Community College, and Southwestern College. His lifework was as an athletic trainer and physical education teacher. He was tirelessly dedicated to his family and students. He took pride in the camaraderie of team sports and watching others succeed.
Tashauna Arnold – Barton Community College
S. Larry Edwardson Memorial Scholarship Fund
S. Larry Edwardson was born in Crisfield, MD and had an extensive career as a Certified Financial Planner in Great Bend. He had a profound appreciation for family and community.
Lexi Parsons – Barton Community College
Vida M., Dorothy C., & Vivian M., Archer Scholarship Fund
The Archer sisters were lifelong residents of Ellinwood. They were born in the early 1900's and were the daughters of Charles Quincy & Margaret Ewers Archer. They had great heart, faith, and a real sense of community. The Archer sisters deeply cared about a student's ability to attain higher education.
Fritzgerald Alexis – University of Kansas Conor Bird – Kansas State University
Gage Fritz – Kansas State University
Ashtin Heath – Wichita State University
Emily Holguin – Barton Community College
Aaron Miller – Wichita State University
Elsi Miller – Fort Hays State University
Lexi Parsons – Barton Community College
Alex Randolph – Pratt Community College
Kirk Reisner – Wichita State University
Bailey Sanders – Kansas State University
Cheyanne Sanders – Pittsburg State University
Natalie Sanders - University of Kansas
Parker Smith – Fort Hays State University
Jacob Specht – Fort Hays State University
Ryan Joseph Bealer Memorial Scholarship Fund
Ryan moved through his life with a uniquely gifted spirit. His computer and engineering abilities were exceptional in that he not only mastered the technology, he also mastered creativity. Ryan loved video games and was selected as a “beta-tester” for Halo III. He made many movies, which included his friends and classmates. He selected his friends and activities carefully. Once selected as a friend, he was loyal and true. Ryan touched lives in a deep and quiet way, and this scholarship is a way to continue to honor him and promote his values.
Daniel Abbott – Wichita State University
Victor Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Victor Memorial Scholarship was established by Roberta Lee "Bobbie" Victor Wallace to honor sisters Mary Lois Victor and Vilotte Victor. Their parents, Mary Vilotte Garrett Victor (1845-1887) and Robert McClure Victor (1833-1915) had 10 children: Martha, Mary Lois, Valerie, Victoria, Pearl, Lillian, John, Roberta Lee "Bobbie", Jennie, and Vilotte. Their mother, Mary Violotte, passed away a year after Vilotte was born.
Shelby Bisnette – Fort Hays State University
Establishing a Scholarship Fund with Golden Belt Community Foundation
Donor commitment to providing educational funding for our area students helps to build a stronger community. Endowed scholarships may be established with a minimum donation of $10,000. A simple fund agreement is signed by the donor and foundation that outlines the specific fund criteria. To setup a scholarship fund or for more information contact Christy Tustin at (620) 792-3000 or visit their website at www.goldenbeltcf.org/scholarships