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Esther Hample Scholarship

Fund Background: Esther Hample was born in 1901 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She attended John Fletcher College (now Vennard College) in University Park, Iowa, where she studied biology. Esther taught high school in Iowa and Kentucky before moving to Bismarck in 1933. While in Bismarck, Esther continued her education by taking courses at universities in Iowa, North Dakota and Michigan. From 1959-1977, she was the Burleigh County Superintendent of Schools. In 1960, the Bismarck-Mandan Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPW) named Esther “Woman of the Year”. In 1976, the Bismarck Chapter of the National Secretaries Association named her “Boss of the Year”. That same year, Vennard College named Esther the “Distinguished Alumni” in the field of education.

Esther was a member of McCabe Methodist Church, the Bismarck-Mandan Art Association, the Symphony League, the American Association of University Women, Zonta International and, of course, the Bismarck-Mandan Business & Professional Women’s Club. She was also active in other organizations including the Red Cross, Easter and Christmas Seals and other groups serving the state and community.

Esther never missed a BPW meeting, even after she started experiencing physical difficulties toward the end of her 91 years of life. Her original bequest to BPW was $1,333. Esther did a number of wonderful things in her lifetime and was well-respected. For these reasons, the Bismarck-Mandan Business & Professional Women’s Club wants to reward deserving women with this scholarship opportunity. The Bismarck-Mandan BPW Club has continued to add to the scholarship fund each year from various sources but mostly through monies raised via its annual golf tournament. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

1. Applicants must be female.
2. Applicants must be at least 20 years old by August 31 of the deadline year (e.g. if applying for a scholarship due by March 15, 2016, you must be 20 years old by August 31 of 2016).
3. Applicants must have graduated, or received a GED, from a Bismarck or Mandan school.
4. Applicants must:

(A)Be enrolled at an institute of higher learning, anywhere in the United States, in one or more classes during the fall semester of the deadline year OR
(B) Be enrolled for the session beginning September or November of the deadline year at the JZ Trend Academy or The Hair Academy OR
(C) Be enrolled in classes during the fall quarter (October of the deadline year) at Rasmussen College.

5. Applicants who have previously attended a college/university or vocational school must have maintained at least a 2.5 GPA.

6. Preference will be given to the applicants who demonstrate the most financial need. 

Applications accepted January 1 - March 15 only. Applications received outside of this window will NOT be accepted.

Visit the Bismarck-Mandan Business and Professional Women's Club website for an application form.