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Westminster College scholarship brochure
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The Campaign for Scholarships at Westminster
The Campaign for Scholarships at Westminster
I believe in the liberal arts. I believe
in their innate ability to introduce
us to a myriad of concepts, to help
us weave together ideas, to make us
question our beliefs, and to imagine our
place in the universe. And despite all
the economic challenges facing colleges
and universities today, I believe that the
liberal arts are worth fighting for.
As an alumna, adjunct professor,
and current Westminster trustee,
I’ve witnessed what can be
accomplished with passion, good
ideas, and talented people. I see the
difference an education makes —the
metamorphosis that takes place in
four short years. I shudder to think
what would happen to our society if
our youth did not have access to this
transformative kind of education.
Several years ago, my husband, Mike,
and I decided to establish a scholarship
for Westminster students to honor
the man who exemplified all that is
best about the liberal arts experience:
Coach Tom Steinke. Coach Steinke was
a tremendous influence in our lives.
He pushed us hard, expected a lot, but
gave a lot of himself in return.
Through our scholarship, we hope to
give students what was instilled in
us during our time at Westminster:
confidence and competence. I hope
you read the following stories about
those who have been impacted by or
compelled to give scholarships and
think about ways in which you can
make a difference. By investing in
scholarships, you can turn your passion
into a bright future for a student.
“I believe in the liberal arts.”
Martha Felt Barton (’80), Westminster TrusteeFounder of the Thomas E. Steinke Student Athlete Scholarship
K
aren was very bright. She had
a nice sense of humor, and
she loved the outdoors,” said
Dharmendra “Baba” Verma, remembering
what he admired most about his wife.
The couple came from worlds apart, but
found love in the place they’d always
carry in their hearts: Salt Lake City.
Karen Sinclair Verma was born and
raised in Utah. Attending college was a
priority, but she didn’t want to choose
between a small, intimate college or
a large university…so she did both!
After two years studying English at
Westminster, Karen transferred to the
University of Utah where she met a soft-
spoken MBA student from India.
“We belonged to the same international
organization at the University,” Baba said.
“We hit it off immediately, and decided
this was for real. We married in 1961.”
Baba secured a teaching job in San
Diego where Karen finished her degree
in sociology. He obtained his PhD
in marketing and taught at Bentley
College in Massachusetts. Karen taught
children with special needs, worked
as a freelance writer, and volunteered
with humanitarian and environmental
organizations.
Life for the Vermas changed in 2002
when Karen was diagnosed with cancer.
Baba left his teaching position to support
his wife as she fought for her life. Sadly,
she passed away in 2006, but Baba was
determined to keep her legacy alive.
Baba recalls a particular trip to visit
Karen’s family during which she took
him to Westminster. They walked
around campus, and Karen shared
stories of her time as a student. She
loved the beauty, the personal attention
from professors, and the academic
foundation that prepared her for later
studies. She told Baba that day that
she wanted to make a Westminster
experience possible for others.
So in 2007, Baba fulfilled Karen’s
wish by creating the Karen Sinclair
Verma Memorial Scholarship, which
is given to students interested in
environmental studies.
“Karen would be thrilled to know I created
a scholarship to help students,” Baba said.
“She loved the environment, and now this
scholarship is providing opportunities for
people to do the things she loved.”
“I did it for my wife.”
Dharmendra VermaFounder of the Karen Sinclair Verma Memorial Scholarship
H
annah Losser’s path to
Westminster started with an
injury. After high school, the
promising dancer enrolled at a California
university with the hope of learning
the business side of dance. She quickly
learned, however, that the dog-eat-dog
world she entered was not her style at all.
Not quite ready to leave her life of
dance behind, Hannah attended
the modern dance program at the
University of Utah. An ankle injury, and
subsequent surgery, ended her career.
But Hannah describes this challenging
time as a “blessing in disguise.”
During her physical therapy, Hannah
developed a fascination with the body’s
ability to heal itself. “I decided to transfer
to Westminster to study science.”
Now a senior in biology, Hannah hasn’t
looked back. “I have absolutely loved
it at Westminster. In my classes, my
professors connect their lessons to the
outside world and their experiences.
They’re human. I feel like I’m going to go
somewhere in the real world.”
Hannah asserts that her experience at
Westminster would not be a reality if she
hadn’t received scholarship support. She
is the recipient of the Laura S. and Chester
W. Nortz Endowed Scholarship for her
commitment to community service.
“I was honored to earn this scholarship.
It has helped me take ownership of my
education.” And with less pressure to
finance her own education, Hannah is able
to spend more time focusing on her true
passion: volunteering. She has donated
countless hours to serving organizations
at home and abroad, including Youthlinc
and the International Rescue Committee.
She also wakes up before dawn twice
a week to coach a middle school dance
team, an experience that has changed
her life. “I don’t get paid for it, but it’s
been so rewarding,” she said. “Seeing shy
kids open up through dance and build
friendships has been amazing to watch.
I’m so lucky to still be able to share my
passion for dance.”
Many of the opportunities she’s enjoyed
have been made possible by others.
“I had the privilege of meeting my
scholarship donor,” she said. “She’s been
active on community boards, she’s an
educator, and a role model. She’s inspired
me to follow in her footsteps. Having a
scholarship will make it easier for me to
accomplish that, and I am thankful.”
“I want to help others.”
Hannah Losser, SeniorRecipient of the Laura S. and Chester W. Nortz Endowed Scholarship
Moving to Utah could cause
culture shock for anyone,
especially a 14-year-old
student from Los Angeles.
“When my family moved to Utah, I had
major culture shock,” said Westminster
junior Maricarmen Rendon. “It was
different here, but now I can’t imagine
living anywhere else.”
Maricarmen was a top student at Hunter
High School. She took all the advanced
placement classes, and, by senior year,
she had accrued enough credits to enter
college as a sophomore.
“I wanted to jump into college,” she said.
“I felt prepared and knew I wanted to
study law.”
The only barrier standing between
Maricarmen and her academic dreams
was the cost. In 2009, Maricarmen’s
father underwent open heart surgery
and was forced to quit working. Racked
with medical bills, her family moved in
with Maricarmen’s sister and did not
have anything extra to contribute to
Maricarmen’s tuition.
A loan from a family friend allowed
Maricarmen to enroll at Westminster,
but that was a temporary solution.
When she was awarded the Marriner
S. Eccles Foundation Scholarship, her
fortune changed.
“Without this scholarship, I wouldn’t
be here,” she said. “My family is still
going through economic hardships. I’ve
always tried to do my very best in school.
Receiving this scholarship means my hard
work paid off, and it’s nice to know that
someone is paying attention.”
Maricarmen enjoys the small classroom
dynamic for which Westminster is known.
“I love that my professors from my first
year still remember my name,” she said.
“They expect everyone to participate
in discussions. In the outside world,
sometimes you talk with people whose
arguments aren’t very logical. In my
classes, you have to be prepared and
know what you’re talking about. This will
serve me well as I move forward with my
career.”
Maricarmen believes that everyone has
the power to change the life of a student.
“There are students who need and
deserve aid,” she said. “Every little bit you
can give really helps.”
“I want to achieve my dreams.”
Maricarmen Rendon, Junior Recipient of the Marriner S. Eccles Foundation Scholarship
Time goes by whether you do
anything or not,” are the words
Deanna Forbush lives by.
Deanna, a partner with respected
Philadelphia-based law firm Fox
Rothschild, traveled a hard road to get
where she is today. A descendent of one
of Salt Lake City’s founding families,
Deanna grew up with a pioneering
spirit, but lacked direction and was not
encouraged to excel in school.
Deanna dropped out of high school, got
married, and within a year, had a child.
The marriage ended quickly, and Deanna
faced a tough reality: she was a single
mom with no high school diploma, and
she needed a job.
She found work as a file clerk and loan
officer at a Salt Lake City credit union.
But she wanted more for herself and
especially her daughter, Brenda. She
moved on to be collections manager for a
local music company, learning on the job
the small claims court system, and she
developed a passion for law.
Deanna then met a young lawyer, Joe
Huggins, who encouraged her to pursue
a paralegal certificate. She jumped into
the paralegal program at Westminster
and earned her certificate in 1982. “I
excelled in paralegal school,” she said. “It
was the first scholastic experience I ever
had. I thought that would be the end of
it; I really achieved something.”
By this time, Joe Huggins had his own
practice with Deanna working as his
paralegal. “He said to me, ‘Deanna, it’s
a sin that you do all the work, but can’t
go to court. Do you think you’ll ever go
to law school?’”
The thought of Huggins’ idea seemed
impossible. Deanna needed a bachelor’s
degree to attend law school, but she
didn’t have a high school diploma! She
contacted a counselor at Westminster
who arranged for her to take the GED.
Deanna scored very well and was
admitted into the college’s English
program. She graduated in 1987, and four
years later, she earned her law degree
from the University of Utah.
Deanna is adamant she could not have
succeeded without scholarship support.
“Having the desire to do something is one
thing, but if you can’t afford it, you won’t
be able to achieve your goals,” she said.
As an expression of thanks, Deanna
established the Deanna Forbush
Endowed Scholarship in 2007 to support
single mothers, especially those who
want to pursue graduate school.
“You can find a way when you have to,”
says Deanna, speaking from experience.
“I want to reward the women who find
their own way. Achievement should be
rewarded.”
“I want to help the woman I once was.”
Deanna Forbush (’87)Founder of the Deanna Forbush Endowed Scholarship
Owning a car in college was
serendipitous for Mike
Hogben. After serving
in the Army in Korea, Mike started
Westminster in the fall of 1960 and
settled into life on campus—making
new friends, including Peg Hall.
Most students were residents on campus
and hung out at Sugar House hotspots
like Bunny’s, Zooms, and the Sugar Bowl.
By senior year, both Peg and Mike’s
significant others had graduated, leaving
them to finish their final year alone.
Peg didn’t have a car and would often
ask Mike to drive her places around
Sugar House. By Thanksgiving, Peg
remembers thinking, “Uh oh. I think
I’m falling for this guy.” By Christmas,
Mike and Peg were engaged. By spring
break they were married.
Life after Westminster took the
Hogbens all over the country. Mike
earned a doctorate in education
psychology at the University of
Utah, and later a master’s degree
in geography from the University
of Kansas. Peg worked in several
administrative roles, and she and Mike
welcomed a son, David, in 1970.
Wherever life took the Hogbens, their
hearts remained at Westminster. “The
college years were formative, and we
made many friendships,” said Peg. “Our
experience at Westminster was so
positive. Westminster was our life.”
Peg and Mike have been faithful
supporters of Westminster since
graduating in 1964. However, nearly 50
years later, they decided the best way
they could honor their experience was
to establish a scholarship. “Giving back
to Westminster gives me a warm fuzzy
feeling,” Peg said. “Instead of blowing it
on a bucket list, we realize it’s our turn
to start giving back. It gives us a lot of
pleasure to know we’ll make a difference
in the lives of so many Westminster
students.”
“We want to make a difference.”
Mike and Peg Hogben (’64)Members of the Converse Society
For Pete Meldrum, hiring a
dynamic workforce isn’t just good
business, it’s essential. Pete, who
is president and CEO of Myriad Genetics,
a Salt Lake City-based biotechnology firm,
searches for scientists who are creative
thinkers and team-focused problem
solvers. And he often finds that the
most promising scientists come from
Westminster College.
“Westminster graduates are better
prepared than many graduates from
other universities across the nation,” Pete
said. “They have a broad background, are
critical thinkers, and aren’t naïve to what’s
happening in the rest of the world.”
Pete attributes these characteristics
to the interdisciplinary, liberal
arts curriculum at the core of the
Westminster experience. In fact, it’s the
caliber of students graduating from
Westminster that prompted Myriad
Genetics to create seven scholarships
for Westminster science students.
“We want to see more students
graduate in science, not just for the
benefit of Myriad or Utah, but for our
nation,” Pete said.
Coincidentally, on the same day Pete
signed the scholarship agreement with
Westminster, Myriad hired four young
scientists, three of whom graduated
from Westminster. “Perhaps it’s fate,
but it really comes down to the fact
that Westminster graduates are really
good. We tend to favor them.”
Pete admits that investing in education
is self-serving from a business
standpoint. “All corporations have the
obligation to give back and be good
corporate citizens,” he said. “If you want
the best, take an active role and invest in
the students living in your community.”
“I want to invest in the future.”
Peter Meldrum, Westminster Trustee and CEO of Myriad GeneticsFounder of the Myriad Genetics Science Scholarships
Growing up in American
Samoa, Tofi Ta’afua knew
that to achieve her academic
goals, she’d need to leave her cozy island
home. She’d also need a scholarship.
Tofi’s parents, although supportive,
worried their daughter could get lost
in a place like the United States. “I had
never been off the island, so you can
understand how my parents worried
about my safety. They heard that Utah
had a reputation for being safe, and
luckily, I found Westminster.”
Tofi fondly remembers her first moments
on campus. “Thankfully, campus was a
total contrast to the Salt Lake Airport!”
she joked. “I was impressed because
President Peggy Stock personally
welcomed me and gave me a tour.
Everyone on campus was friendly; I
immediately felt at home.”
Life at Westminster proved
transformative for Tofi. She developed
warm relationships with many on
campus, and was mentored closely
by President Stock, who saw in Tofi
a natural born leader.
“On what other campus can you receive
such close attention, even from the
president?” Tofi asked. “I learned about
leadership from Dr. Stock. She taught
me the importance of presentation,
eloquence, and believing in what you’re
saying.”
Perhaps the main lesson Tofi took from
her Westminster experience was the
value in building consensus, which is an
important part of her everyday role as a
vice president at Goldman Sachs Bank.
“Throughout my experience in student
government and other activities on
campus, I learned how important it is
to get buy-in, openly communicate, and
build rapport,” she said. “I used to think
that I could just take over something and
fix it, but as President Stock used to say,
‘It’s lonely at the top, Tofi.’”
The kind of leadership Tofi learned at
Westminster and uses in her career
would not have been possible had she
not received scholarship support.
“Without my scholarship, I would not
have been able to attend Westminster,”
she said. “In fact, most of my peers
wouldn’t have been able to. Bricks and
mortar are important, but if students
can’t afford to come then the heart of the
campus is gone.”
“I want to lead.”
Tofi Ta’afua (’01, MBA ’03)Recipient of the Jack and Nancy Behnken Endowed Scholarship
Michael Denson was the
“stereotypical jock” in
high school, applying
himself more in the weight room
than in the classroom. The All-State
right guard didn’t want to let go of
his football career after graduation, so
he stayed on at his school and helped
coach the Bountiful High Braves to
victory in the Utah 2002 4A State
Championship.
But after a transformative experience
in Australia during his LDS mission,
Mike realized that the world was
much bigger than football. In 2005, he
married and moved to Salt Lake City
where he enrolled at LDS Business
College. Poor grades landed him on
academic probation. When he learned
he was going to be a father, he got
serious about his education.
“I grew up when I learned I was going
to have to provide for a baby,” he
said. “Before, I wasn’t hungry enough
for success. I’ve changed because of
my family.”
After earning his associate’s degree,
he considered transferring to either
the University of Utah or Westminster.
He quips that the university offered
him the quintessential undergraduate
experience, but in his words, “That
didn’t appeal to me. I’ve got a family.
I’m not looking for the wild life!”
Mike was accepted at Westminster
and, for the first time in his life, he’s
excelling academically. “I got my first
4.0 ever during my first semester at
Westminster,” he said.
The college awarded Mike the R.
Harold Burton Foundation Scholarship,
one of the most prestigious
scholarships offered at Westminster.
Mike accepted this scholarship with
a humility he lacked earlier in his
education.
“I owe it to my wife, who has put me
through school, to do well,” he said. “I owe
it to my scholarship. I owe it to my kids.”
Having a scholarship will change the
future for Mike and his family. “An
“I got a second chance.”
investment in my education is an
investment in the community. My chance
to be successful is so much greater.”
And to those considering where
to invest their money, Mike says,
“Education is the best resource you can
give. Education distinguishes us.”
Michael Denson, SeniorRecipient of the R. Harold Burton Scholarship in Business
Ways to create your scholarship at WestminsterAnnual scholarship
Scholarships can be created to support every kind of
student, including those interested in a particular field of
study, future profession, community service, or athletics.
You can name an annual scholarship for as little as $1,000
per year, payable over four years.
Endowed scholarship
Whether you want to honor a loved one or a favorite
professor, we will work with you to create a scholarship
that will help deserving Westminster students in
perpetuity. Your gift of $25,000, payable over five years,
will forever provide scholarships for Westminster students.
Giving through your will
The Converse Society, Westminster’s planned giving
society, honors those who have committed a gift to
the college through their will or trust. You can create a
scholarship through your estate, making Westminster a
stronger institution and preserving the college’s culture of
caring for future generations.
Corporate giving
Creating a scholarship for Westminster students makes
good business sense. Investing in scholarships strengthens
your relationship with emerging talent, providing you with
top interns and future employees.
To speak with someone about how you can make a
difference in the life of a Westminster student by creating
a scholarship, please contact the Office of Advancement
at 801.832.2730 or toll-free at 866.832.2730. You can also
give online at www.westminstercollege.edu/giving.
The Campaign for Scholarships at Westminster
We will be nationally recognized as an exemplary community of learners, distinguished by our
distinctive educational programs, our record of preparing graduates for success in a rapidly changing world, and our commitment to
continuous improvement, effectiveness, and value.
Westminster College | 1840 South 1300 East | Salt Lake City, Utah 84105801.484.7651 | Toll Free in US 800.748.4753