Department of Political Science & Criminal Justice Scholarships

Dr. James V. Calvi Scholarship was established after Dr. Calvi’s retirement in 2016 for his long service to students and faculty. Dr. Calvi began teaching at WT in 1982. He served as department head for the Department of History and Political Science for seven years and in 2009, he became the Associate Dean of the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences. The recipient will be a political science or criminal justice major with 30 hours or a graduate student in criminal justice. Students must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA.

John B. and Mary O. Coleman Scholarship was created in 1993 by family and friends of the Colemans in recognition of their interest in students and in higher education. Students of at least sophomore standing with a minimum 2.2 GPA majoring in pre-dentistry, pre-law, political science or criminal justice are eligible to apply.

Criminal Justice Intern of the Year Scholarship was established to honor outstanding student interns in the Criminal Justice program. The recipient must be a criminal justice major and an outstanding intern in good standing.

Criminal Justice Master’s Program Scholarship was established in 2000 by contributions and grants to provide a scholarship for criminal justice graduate students in good standing.

Maxine Durrett Earl Charitable Foundation Scholarship in Political Science was established in memory of Earl.  The recipient must be a full-time sophomore, junior, or senior majoring in political science with preference to Garza county students; second preference to the following counties: Gaines, Dawson, Borden, Scurry, Kent, Lynn, Terry, Yoakum, Cochran, Hockley, Lubbock, Crosby, Dickens, Motley, Floyd, Hale, Lamb, and Bailey.  Third preference to the following counties: Andrews, Martin, Howard, Mitchell, Nolan, Taylor, Callahan, Shackelford, Jones, Fisher, Stonewall, Haskell, Throckmorton, Baylor, Knox, King, Cottle, Foard, Wilbarger, Hardeman, Childress, Hall, Briscoe, Swisher, Castro, Parmer, Deaf Smith, Randall, Armstrong, Donley, Collingsworth, Wheeler, Gray, Carson, Potter, Oldham, Hartley, Moore, Hutchinson, Roberts, Hemphill, Lipscomb, Ochiltree, Hansford, Sherman, Dallas, and the following counties in New Mexico: Chaves, Lea, Roosevelt, Curry, and Quay.  Additionally, the student must maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Captain Ed Foster Law Enforcement Scholarship was established by family, friends and colleagues in memory of Foster, a long-time member of University police at WTAMU. Criminal justice-policing majors who have completed a minimum of 45 hours at WTAMU and maintained a minimum 2.75 GPA.

Harrington Law Enforcement Scholarship Fund is available to full-time employees in criminal justice agencies in Potter, Randall, and Deaf Smith counties of Texas. The student must enroll in six or more undergraduate or three graduate hours and earn a minimum of 2.3 GPA undergraduate or 3.3 GPA graduate. These scholarships cover a portion of tuition, fees, and books.

Dr. Harry and Maryann Hueston Scholarship was established by the Huestons who are passionate about WTAMU and the education of students. The recipient must be a criminal justice major with a 2.0 or higher GPA. 

Judge Marvin Jones Scholarship was established in 1976 to provide scholarships to assist students exhibiting outstanding character and leadership ability, as well as having a proven scholastic record. The scholarship honors Jones’ service to the Texas Panhandle as a member of Congress, federal judge and adviser of three U.S. presidents. Selection of recipients shall be made on a competitive basis taking into consideration high school rank, SAT or ACT scores, or GPA of previous college work; evidence of outstanding character/leadership ability; involvement in extracurricular activities; and past honors received.

Lasater-Looney Political Science Scholarship (formerly Lasater-Looney Scholarship in Political Economics) was established by Tom Lasater and Paul Looney to promote students who take both political science as well as economics to advance their curriculum. The recipient must be a non-freshman student majoring in political science with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Preference to political science majors with six hours of economics.

Brent T. Lynch Criminal Justice Scholarship Award was established in 1980 to honor Lynch, a long-time faculty member and founder of the Criminal Justice Program. The annual scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate criminal justice major who has completed a minimum of 60 semester hours with a 3.0 GPA or better in the major’s course requirements.

Debra McCartt Public Service and Administration Scholarship was established in 2013 by McCartt, the first female mayor of Amarillo.  The McCartt scholar must be enrolled as a full-time junior or senior public service and administration major.  In the event that there is no public service and administration major, the scholarship may be awarded to a political science major with an interest in public service.  Additionally, the student must maintain a 3.0 GPA and participate in a mentorship with McCartt. The scholarship is renewable for an additional year when criteria are met.

Travis McBride Political Science Scholarship Fund was established in 1986 by Professor Emeritus McBride and other members of the WTAMU Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice. The recipient must be a full-time student pursuing a degree in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice.

Jerry Neal Scholarship was established in honor of Neal’s 26 years of dedicated service to the city of Amarillo and the surrounding communities. This scholarship is for criminal justice majors who maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA. Preference will be given based on need and also Amarillo police officers, employees of the city of Amarillo who are preparing to become police officers, or children of employees of the city of Amarillo who are preparing to become police officers. This scholarship is renewable if criteria are met.

Jesse and Grace Osborn Endowment Fund was established by the Osborn family in recognition of their many contributions to the state of Texas and Texas Panhandle, especially during Jesse Osborn’s terms in the Texas House of Representatives and on the Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. Provides scholarships to students majoring in political science, criminal justice, or a related field with emphasis in criminal justice or political science who have completed at least 12 hours in political science and/or criminal justice with a 3.0 GPA.

Panhandle City Manager’s Association Scholarship was established by the Association in order to assist WTAMU students who are pursuing a degree that will help them to be employed as a city manager.  The recipient must be enrolled full-time (12 hours per semester) and maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA.  Preference is given to political science majors although students pursuing other majors who are interested in employment as a city manager will be considered.

Retired Professors Scholarship for Political Science and Criminal Justice was established from gifts given by retired professors and their colleagues, families, and friends in order to assist in the education of political science and criminal justice majors.

Rita Benford Sampson Memorial Scholarship was established in honor of Rita, a graduate of West Texas State University. She served for 22 years in the Randall County Probation Office. The recipient will be a full-time criminal justice major from Potter or Randall counties, maintain a 3.0 GPA, and demonstrate evidence of current or previous community service.

Walter L. Shelly Political Science Scholarship was established in 2002 to provide scholarships for students from the Texas Panhandle or Oklahoma Panhandle majoring in political science and who have the talent and commitment to succeed in undergraduate political science with a special interest in Texas government or political theory. Students must be enrolled in 15 hours per semester, 3.5 GPA, 40 hours per semester in volunteer activities with an accredited non-profit organization focusing on children’s issues, and pursue a career in government, law, or teaching government. Students must have good character, leadership, enthusiasm about the major, and financial need.

Max and Gene Alice Sherman Public Affairs Scholarship was established by colleagues and friends of the Shermans in recognition of their interest and service to WTAMU during his tenure as president of the University and to the people of the Texas Panhandle during his service as a state senator. The scholarship is available to undergraduate students majoring in political science or a related public affairs discipline and must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours with a 2.5 GPA or better.

Claudia D. Stravato Women in Government Scholarship was established in 1984 in honor of Stravato’s many accomplishments. This scholarship is for political science majors who are planning a career in public administration. The recipient must have completed two semesters at WTAMU and be of at least junior standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Claudia and Harold Stuart Scholarship for Books was established by the Stuarts, alumni of WTAMU and Buffalo Club supporters for many years.  The scholarship will provide assistance for the purchase of textbooks.  Recipients must be full-time students majoring in criminal justice, sociology, or sports and exercise sciences with preference given first to criminal justice majors, second to sociology, and third to sports and exercise sciences. 

John Ward Public Administration Scholarship was established by donations in honor of John Ward at his retirement. He gave 21 years of valuable service as city manager of Amarillo, Texas. The recipient must be an undergraduate majoring in political science, public administration, or emergency management administration with a minimum 3.0 GPA overall, or a student enrolled in the graduate program pursuing a master’s degree in political science. Applicants will be required to submit an essay explaining their interest and intent in the public administration field.