The Patterson Memorial Endowed Scholarship was established in 1997 by Kermit and Opal Patterson, who both previously taught at Eastern Kentucky University; Kermit, specifically, taught in the College of Business. The scholarship is awarded to outstanding students majoring in areas of study including General Business, Management, and / or Marketing.

All applications are carefully reviewed by faculty serving on the Patterson Scholarship Committee. Selected Patterson Scholars will represent the College of Business in formal and informal settings at all times and are expected to maintain professional decorum. They will participate in service to the College of Business, and they will engage in professional development activities.

Completed applications are due by March 1, and applicants will be notified of the outcome of the review process by the conclusion of the Spring semester. Selected students will receive $1,500 per semester, dependent on interest income. If you have questions, please contact the College of Business Dean’s Office.

Selection Criteria for New Applicants

• Students must declare a major in General Business, Management, and/or Marketing.
• Students must have a minimum university GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. (Incoming freshmen must submit a high school transcript and have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale).
• Students must submit a formal letter of application highlighting leadership experience.
• Students must submit a professional résumé.
• Students must submit two letters of recommendation.

Renewal Criteria

• Students must continue to be a declared General Business, Management, and/or Marketing major.
• Students must maintain a minimum university GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Students must submit a formal letter of application highlighting leadership experience.
• Students must submit a professional résumé.
• Students must submit one letter of recommendation.

Steps to Apply

All internal EKU scholarships are now found and applied for under the foundation scholarship application portal on Slate. You must create an account, apply, and upload the required scholarship materials.  Students who do not submit all the required documents listed above will not be considered for the Patterson Scholarship.

Recipients must be permanent residents of Kentucky, enrolled full-time in a business program in EKU’s College of Business, maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater, and demonstrate financial need.

This scholarship awards $2,000 per academic year with a preference to students who are business majors in the College of Business and are graduates of Bryan Station High School in Lexington, KY. Students wishing to apply for this scholarship should complete the EKU Scholarship Application.

The Cecil A. Washburn scholarship is awarded to either an incoming first-year student or a returning student in the College of Business. Applicants must be enrolled full-time. The recipient must maintain a 2.8 GPA or higher. The student should possess the characteristics valued by Cecil A. Washburn: good character, leadership, citizenship, social responsibility, and a desire to complete a college education. The scholarship shall be awarded to the candidate exhibiting the greatest financial need. Students wishing to apply for this scholarship should complete the EKU Foundation Scholarship application along with two signed letters of recommendation by April 1st, and complete the EKU Scholarship Application.

The Connie Lawson Endowed Business Scholarship is awarded to a junior business student meeting the following requirements: at least a 2.5 GPA, and an initial geographic preference of eastern Kentucky, including the Ashland area. The scholarship is renewable for up to two years provided the recipient maintains at least a 2.5 GPA. Students wishing to apply for this scholarship should complete the EKU Scholarship Application.

The Max Reed Scholarship is awarded to an accounting major based on academic excellence and leadership abilities. Preference will be given to students of junior standing.

Applicants must: Be enrolled in a Kentucky college or university and be at least a sophomore at the time of application; have an overall grade point average of at least 2.75 and an accounting grade point average of 3.0; have completed Principles of Accounting. The scholarships recognize scholastic achievement and leadership qualities in students who plan to become CPAs. Scholarship amounts range from $1,000 to $2,500. Students interested in applying should visit the KYCPA website.

This scholarship is awarded to students who have graduated from a Kentucky high school and have declared accounting as their major (including incoming first-year students). The scholarship may be renewable for up to eight semesters as long as the recipient maintains a 3.0 GPA.

The McIlvaine Memorial Endowed Scholarship is preferably awarded to an accounting major who is a new first-year college student.

The scholarship will be awarded to students who are currently enrolled as full-time undergraduate students in good academic standing at EKU, majoring in economics (after all current majors have graduated, the scholarship will be awarded to high-achieving students in the courses of ECO 230 and/or ECO 231 as recommended by economics faculty) with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5.

The scholarship will be awarded to students who are currently enrolled as full-time undergraduate students with junior or senior level classification, pursuing a major in economics. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen in good academic standing and possess a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, both overall and in EKU economics courses.

This annual scholarship is awarded to an academically superior junior or senior student majoring in finance.

The Financial Executives International is awarded to a student possessing superior academic achievement and leadership in finance.

This scholarship is awarded each year to a Finance major, preference will be given to students who have expressed or demonstrated an interest in pursuing a career in banking; if no such candidates are available, all Finance majors may be considered for this scholarship.

The Risk Management Association (RMA) Foundation Scholarship program is for students in an undergraduate program who are interested in working in the banking industry after graduation. Visit the RMA Headquarters to learn more.

Melinda and Erin Murphy established the Mike Karpathakis Endowed MBA Scholarship in memory of Mike Karpathakis, an EKU MBA alumnus and electrical engineer. This scholarship aims to support MBA students who exhibit both financial need and academic excellence. Mike Karpathakis passed away in January 2024 after battling Posterior Cortical Atrophy, and the scholarship serves as a tribute to his legacy and deep connection to EKU. The initial endowment of $25,000 will begin providing awards once the fund reaches a sustainable level.

This scholarship was established by Jack C. Keir, Inc. to honor Dr. Jack C. Keir and to promote the education of deserving students enrolled full time and majoring in Insurance studies at EKU. Criteria for the Scholarship:

• Students must be a junior or senior full-time student majoring in Insurance Studies. They must have at least a 2.5 GPA, show evidence of financial need, and show interest in the insurance industry through summer employment or participation in Insurance Studies projects.

This scholarship was created with a gift from the Kentucky Association of Counties. The endowment provides scholarships for students with a genuine interest in the Risk and Insurance professions. Criteria for the Scholarship:

• Demonstrate financial need and genuine interest in the Risk and Insurance professions. Be ranked as a senior or junior, be a Kentucky resident, and have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

The purpose of this scholarship is to support students who reflect the ideals of the Women Leaders in Insurance and Financial Services. Criteria for the Scholarship:

• First preference is to be given to women who are majoring or minoring in Risk Management and Insurance and who are underrepresented in the College of Business. In all instances, the scholarship shall be awarded in accordance with diversity and/or affirmative action guidelines. Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student with sophomore, junior, or senior level classification with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

This scholarship was established by Robert B. Morgan, president of The Cincinnati Insurance Company in memory of Tom Nuckles. Criteria for the Scholarship:

• Students must be in good standing with the university. The student’s major GPA is the first deciding factor when awarding this scholarship with overall GPA results being secondary. First priority given to children of employees of Cincinnati Financial Corporation.

The RIMS/CPCU Insurance Studies Fund established at Eastern Kentucky University to promote the education of students enrolled full time and majoring in Insurance. This account is established as a result of a gift from RIMS / CPCU. Criteria for the Scholarship:

• Must be full-time students majoring in Insurance Students must maintain a 2.25 GPA.