Department of Psychology, Sociology, & Social Work Scholarships

Jane Addams Memorial Scholarship was established in 1988 to be awarded to students with a minimum of nine hours in social work or sociology, with at least a 2.5 GPA on all work at WTAMU.

Dr. Timothy Atchison Memorial Scholarship in Psychology was established by family and friends in memory of Atchison. Dr. Atchison joined the WTAMU faculty in 2002 and received the Instructional Excellence Award in 2010-2011 for his outstanding work in the classroom. The recipient must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student with a high GPA. Also, the student must be a psychology major, neuroscience certificate student, or student intending to pursue graduate studies in psychology or school psychology.

LaNelle Bassett-Winn Counseling and Guidance Scholarship was established by the family of Mrs. LaNelle Bassett-Winn in honor of her 83rd birthday. The recipient must be employed, active participation in the Reserves, National Guard, or active duty constitutes employment.  Also, must be a female full-time junior, senior or graduate student with a preference to psychology majors focusing on counseling and guidance. If a psychology major cannot be found, an education major with a focus on counseling and guidance will be selected. Additionally, student must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and working towards the current counseling standards and certification with preference given to a parent, especially a single parent.

Brian M. Beckley Scholarship was established by his parents, Robert and Cheryl Beckley. The recipient must be a sociology major, and selection will be based on grade point average.

Dorothy Gimp Brand Scholarship was established by Myrna Gimp Raffkind, former WTAMU student and faculty member, and her husband, Daniel, in honor of her mother. Recipients must be psychology, sociology, or social work majors.

Tom Cannon Student Service Scholarship was established in 1986 in recognition of Cannon’s commitment to developing each student’s abilities, both personally and academically. Awards are made to junior, senior, or graduate psychology majors with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Scholarship Award was established in 1982 by the Indian Association of Amarillo for students majoring in sociology and/or social work. The recipient must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and have completed 60 credit hours. Financial need is the most important factor considered.

Marjorie Waddle Kruckeberg Scholarship was established in 1993 by gifts from family and friends of Kruckeberg to honor her 26 years of service at the Amarillo State Center and to provide scholarships for promising students majoring in social work. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and demonstrate outstanding communication skills with a preference for students with a strong interest in direct contact/counseling of families. Financial need is a consideration.

Judith Mathewson Lankford Social Work Scholarship was established in honor of Lankford by her husband John.  The recipient must have completed nine hours in the social work program.

Jay Allen Mathis Memorial Scholarship was established by Claude E. and Alice R. Mathis and other contributors in memory of Jay Allen Mathis. Psychology majors planning a career in psychology, who have completed at least two regular semesters at WTAMU, and attained junior, senior, or graduate standing with a 3.0 GPA on work completed at the college level and 3.5 GPA in psychology, may apply.

Sibyl Mitchell Scholarship was established by Sibyl H. Mitchell in support of a hard-working student in a social science field. The recipient must demonstrate financial need and must have a 2.0-3.0 GPA.

Nona L. Moore Scholarship Fund was established in 1988 by a gift from the estate of Moore. Awards are made to social work, sociology, and psychology majors who have attended WTAMU at least two regular semesters and maintained a 3.0 GPA on all work completed at WTAMU and in their major.

National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Scholarship, Amarillo Unit, was established in honor of K.R. (Raju) Ramakrishnan and in support of WTAMU social work students. Recipients will be an NASW member and participate in Amarillo Unit meetings, workshops, and seminars; be in good academic standing with an accumulation of 12 hours of social work credits; and graduate or undergraduate standing. Financial need is considered.

Hubert W. Oppe Scholarship Fund was established by the Department of Behavioral Sciences in 1988 in recognition of Oppe’s distinguished career as a sociologist at WTAMU. Recipients will be psychology, sociology, and social work majors who have completed a minimum of two regular semesters at WTAMU and maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA. Preference will be given first to social work and sociology majors followed by psychology majors.

Dipakben J. Patel Endowed Scholarship was established by gifts from Dr. and Mrs. Suryakant J. Patel and friends to provide scholarships to junior, senior and graduate students, preferably female in teacher education, social work, or nursing with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Phi Alpha Nu Society Scholarship was established in 1998 to provide scholarships to members of Phi Alpha Nu Honor Society. Preference will be given to current members with the highest GPA and participation in the Sociology/Social Work Club.

Jimmy D. Pond Scholarship for the Social Sciences was established by Pond who worked in the Counseling Services Department at WTAMU for seven years before spending 28 years in the Amarillo College Counseling Services Department. His commitment to the creation and maintenance of good student mental health through career advisement and his desire to benefit students who share this commitment has led to the creation of this scholarship. The recipient will be a full-time undergraduate student majoring in social work, psychology, or counseling.  The student must maintain a 2.5 GPA.   

Psychology Club Scholarship was established to honor students who help to promote psychology in the community and through service. The recipient must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student seeking a degree in psychology with preference to members of the Psychology Club or a student who is actively engaged in the program beyond coursework.  Students must also maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Sarah Raffkind Scholarship Fund was established in 1983 by the family and friends of Raffkind. The recipient must be a psychology major who maintains a cumulative 3.0 GPA and a 3.5 GPA in psychology courses.

Dr. Kollengode R. Ramakrishnan Scholarship was established by graduate social work students in honor of Ramakrishnan who devoted his life as a social work professor to WTAMU and has helped with numerous Recipient must be an undergraduate and/or graduate social work student, community service and financial need considered, and good academic standing.

Jack Duncan Rhodes Scholarship was established in memory of Jack who lived in Amarillo all of his life and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.  Jack enjoyed so many things in life, especially playing his guitars and spending time with family and friends.  The recipient must be an undergraduate full-time junior or senior psychology or social work major.  Will consider graduate students majoring in psychology, social work, school counseling, or licensed professional counselor with preference to full-time enrollment. Also, the recipient must volunteer at Family Support Services or a similar non-profit organization. 

John and Sally Skaggs Psychology Scholarship was established by Sally Ingerton in 1982. The recipient must be a junior, senior, or graduate psychology major planning a career in psychology. Also, the student must have completed at least two regular semesters at WTAMU and have at least a 3.0 GPA on all work completed and a 3.25 overall GPA in psychology.

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. 

Jeffery Weiss Psychology Scholarship was established with initial gifts from COESS-faculty and staff, family members of Weiss, and the outside community. Weiss graduated from WTAMU with a BS degree in psychology and loved WT and the psychology professors. The recipient must be a full-time junior or senior psychology major with a preference for students with disabilities. The student must maintain a 2.5 GPA and must have completed at least one semester (12 semester hours) at WTAMU.

Arvezene Winter Scholarship Fund was created by gifts from friends, children, relatives, and other contributors who knew and loved Winter. The scholarship is awarded annually to students who are psychology majors planning a career in counseling and have reached junior, senior, or graduate standing. Applicants should have at least a 3.0 GPA and must have completed at least two semesters at WTAMU.

Clark E. Wooldridge Memorial Scholarship was established in 2010 in honor of Wooldridge who was instrumental in developing the Social Work Program at WT. He retired as an associate professor of social work in 1993 and was honored as professor emeritus. The recipient must be a full-time rising junior undergraduate pursuing a social work degree with a minimum 2.25 GPA. Additionally, the student must be involved and active in-class participation. The scholarship is renewable when criteria are met.