Golden Belt Community Foundation has awarded over $75,000 in 2018 scholarships to area students.
GBCF administers more than $1.3 million dollars in endowed scholarship funds for graduating high school seniors and current college students. There were several new scholarship funds established this year, including: #MyHomeKS Scholarship Fund; Effie I. Bank and Roy Banks Memorial Scholarship Fund; Jeffrey Alan Bland Memorial Scholarship Fund; KU Honors Scholarship Fund; Ray A. Cheely Vocational Scholarship Fund; and the S. Larry Edwardson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The 2018 scholarships and recipients are:
#MyHomeKS Scholarship Fund
Students from the GBCF service area were invited to apply for a scholarship by uploading a video to social media answering one question: What makes my hometown great? Scholarship funds were available to high school senior and current college student, 17-25 years old.
Braeden Corman – Fort Hays State University – Accounting
Britani Grabast – Wichita State University - Biology
Jordan Taylor – Wichita State University – Business Management

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.
Colton Churchill – Kansas State University – Biological and Agriculture Engineering
Cody Wondra – Kansas State University – Animal Science

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.
Jordan Taylor – Wichita State University – Business Management

Bill J. McKown Memorial Scholarship Fund
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.
Anthony Martinez – Barton Community College – Nursing

Bob and Rosalee Roth Family Scholarship Fund
Robert and Rosalee Roth were married on Sept. 11, 1954 in Wichita. They lived in Oklahoma City from 1955 – 1957 while Robert served as a 2nd Lt. in the US Air Defense Command. They then moved to Larned to join Roth Equipment Company, a retail farm equipment store and lived there for 51 years where they raised their family. The Roth Family has strong ties to both Pawnee County and the University of Kansas. Bob and Rosalee wanted to help Pawnee County students experience life as a Jayhawk.
Keelan Castro – University of Kansas – Physical Therapy

Cap Proffitt Memorial Scholarship Fund
Cap Proffitt graduated from Sterling High School. Formerly of the Alden/Sterling area, he became an Ellinwood resident in 1989 and 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.
Katelyn Reh – Fort Hays State University – Pre-Veterinary Medicine

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.
Camryn Dunekack – Kansas State University - Biology

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.
Rodrigo Miranda – McPherson College – Business

Chester Crane Memorial Scholarship Fund
Mr. Crane was a lifetime resident of Pawnee County, he was a retired clerk/maintenance person for Doerr Manufacturing of Larned for 60 years. He was of the Christian faith, Charter member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Life Member of Disabled American Veterans. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Mason Burris – Cloud Community College – Wind Energy Technology
Alyssa Clark – Fort Hays State University – Radiologic Technology
Joshua East – Hutchinson Community College – Engineering
Hunter Fitzpatrick – Barton Community College – Elementary Education
Jordan Taylor – Wichita State University – Business Management

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. One of Effie’s brothers was Roy Banks. This scholarship was established to honor Effie Bank and her brother Roy Banks, of Larned.
Mason Burris – Cloud Community College – Wind Energy Technology

Ethel D. Holmes Scholarship Fund
Ethel Dell (Peppiatt) Holmes was born in August of 1892, on a farm near Ellsworth. 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.
Baleigh Fry – Kansas State University – Kinesiology
Christi Haberman – Wichita State University – Criminal Justice
Lindsey Newman – Emporia State University – Accounting
Paloma Sandoval – Fort Hays State University - Nursing

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.
Abby Kelty – Kansas State University – Dietetics
Megan Stelter – Barton Community College – Elementary Education

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.
Paloma Sandoval – Fort Hays State University - Nursing

Jeffrey Alan Bland Memorial Scholarship Fund
Jeff Bland was a lifelong resident of Larned 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.
Megan Stelter – Barton Community College – Elementary Education

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.
Olivia Baus – Kansas State University – Undecided
Chelsey Bieberle – Kansas State University – Feed Science & Management
Camryn Dunekack – Kansas State University - Biology
Baleigh Fry – Kansas State University – Kinesiology
Bailey Seltmann – Kansas State University – Industrial Engineering
Tyler Specht – Kansas State University - Marketing

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.
Maycie Hestand – University of Kansas – Human Biology
Gage Miller – University of Kansas – Psychology
Heather Schneider – University of Kansas - Psychology

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.
Joshua East – Hutchinson Community College – Engineering

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.
Parker Smith – Fort Hays State University – Human Biology

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.
Paulina Baray – Barton Community College – Biology
Jisselle Cortez – Barton Community College – LPN
Kyler Merten – Barton Community College – Math Education
Andrea Montes – Barton Community College – Business Management

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.
Elsi Miller – Fort Hays State University – Biology

Ray A. Cheely Vocational Scholarship Fund
Ray 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. His business, Ray A. Cheely, Chartered specialized in small business accounting and consulting as well as personal accounting and tax returns. This scholarship is for Barton County residents pursuing a vocational, trade, or certificate program and that plan to continue to reside in the area after they complete their program of study.
Clade Anderson – Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture – Agronomy
Kaiden Jeffrey – North Central Kansas Technical College – Electrical Technology
Bradley Reif – Manhattan Area Technical College – Electrical Power & Distribution
Elena Taboada – Barton Community College – MLT & Nursing

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.
Lindsey Newman – Emporia State University - Accounting

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 has a profound appreciation for family and community.
Lindsey Newman – Emporia State University - Accounting

Samantha C. Harter Memorial Scholarship Fund
Samantha (Sami) C. Harter was a vivacious, happy, fun-loving girl with a huge heart and kind spirit. Her biggest thrill was riding horses. She began riding at a young age and enjoyed training for English Saddle competitions. Sami played guitar, piano, and loved to sing.
Keelan Castro – University of Kansas – Physical Therapy

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 and 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.
Conor Bird – Kansas State University – Psychology
Micaila Curtis – McPherson College - Biology
Ashtin Heath – Wichita State University – Biology
Maycie Hestand – University of Kansas – Human Biology
Gage Miller – University of Kansas – Pre Law
Aaron Miller – Wichita State University – English Education
Kirk Reisner – Wichita State University – Exercise Science
Mykela Riedl – Wichita State University – Physical Therapy
Hunter Ruppe – Wichita State University – Business Management
Cheyanne Sanders – Kansas State University – Life Science
Natalie Sanders – Kansas State University – Life Science
Heather Schneider – University of Kansas – Psychology

Establishing a Scholarship Fund with GBCF
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 Sue Cooper at GBCF, 620-792-3000, or visit online at www.goldenbeltcf.org/scholarships.