Endowed Scholarships and Funds

Endowments provide financial stability that is not impacted by trends of enrollment or annual fund revenues and provide unrestricted revenue to support the university’s programs, faculty, student scholarships and facility maintenance. A gift or multi-year pledge starting at $50,000 via gifts of cash, securities or planned gifts can establish a named endowed fund. When donors create endowed funds, or create one of the existing ones below, it is an investment that lives on in perpetuity.

To support any of the following existing endowed scholarships or funds, click the button below. Once on the giving form, select “Other” in the Designation drop-down box and then type in the name of the scholarship or fund you’d like to support.

Interested in establishing a new endowed scholarship or fund? Contact us at development@vanguard.edu or 714.966.5442.

General Scholarships

Alumni Endowed Scholarship
Established and maintained by alumni of Vanguard University to support outstanding Vanguard students.

Mark Bell Memorial Scholarship
Established by alumna Eleanor Bell and friends in memory of Mark Bell to support outstanding students.

The Hap Byers Endowed Scholarship
Established by the Byers family in honor and memory of Hap Byers for the purpose of providing additional financial support to a worthy Vanguard student majoring in Business or Music. 

Altha A. Greear Endowed Scholarship 
Established by alum Kyle Ferguson in memory of Altha A. Greear to support outstanding business students who are married.  

Hopkins Family Endowed Scholarship
Established by alums John and Fern Hopkins to support outstanding Vanguard students.

The Jacquot Family Endowed Scholarship 
Established by the Jacquot Family to provide funding for those called to Vanguard so they may pursue their calling and pass on their love of the Lord. 

Renee Myers and Winthrop Stewart Endowed Scholarship 
Established by alums Dan and Dorene Myers in joint memory of daughter Renee Myers, victim of a tragic car accident, and classmate and missionary Dr. Winthrop Stewart, in recognition of his significant contributions to and innovation in missions work. This scholarship is established to assist students who 1) have a physical handicap; or 2) intend to pursue ministry as a calling and vocation. 

Art and Betty Price Endowed Scholarship
Established by alums Art and Betty Price to support outstanding Vanguard students.

Nell Rediger Memorial Scholarship
Established by the Rediger family and friends in memory of Nell Rediger to support outstanding Vanguard students.

William J. Seymour Endowed Scholarship
Established by Drs. Elizabeth Leonard and Sherilyn Benvenuti and friends in support of increasing diversity in the Vanguard student body. Inspired by Bishop William J. Seymour, the African-American leader of the Azusa Street Revival which was characterized by a diversity of racial backgrounds.

Takashima-Campbell Endowed Scholarship
Established by alums John and Rina (Taniguchi) Campbell to support outstanding Vanguard students majoring in Business or Religion.

Marie Smith Endowed Scholarship
Established to provide funding for those called to Vanguard so they may pursue their calling and pass on their love of the Lord.

Doti Tamburo Endowed Scholarship
Established by Roger Tamburo and friends in memory of alumna Doti Tamburo to support outstanding Vanguard students.

Candi Thorne Endowed Scholarship
Established by alumna Candace Thorne to support outstanding Vanguard students majoring in Business or Psychology.

Flossie Way Endowed Scholarship
Established by James Way in memory of alumna Florence (Flossie) Way to support outstanding Vanguard student leaders.

Education Scholarships

Dixie Arnold Endowed Scholarship
Established by Professor Dr. Dixie Arnold to support students completing a liberal studies major.

Marty and Seon Burbank Endowed Scholarship (NOT YET AVAILABLE)
Established by Professor Dr. Seon Chun-Burbank and Marty Burbank to support students who are committed to educating young children.

Waymann and Charlene Carlson Memorial Scholarship
Established by family and friends in memory of Waymann and Charlene Carlson to support education students.

Jeanie Beechan-Dukette Endowed Scholarship
Established by alum James Dukette and friends in honor of alumna Jeanie Beechan-Dukette to support students pursuing elementary education teaching.

John Lackey Family Scholarship
Established by alum Roger Lackey in honor of his father Dr. John Lackey to support education students who are following God’s calling as teachers in Christian schools.

Markey-White Christian Educators Endowed Scholarship
Established by Ralph and Alberta Markey, Ray and Ruby White and friends to support graduate education students who are following God’s calling as teachers in public or private schools.

Charlotte McNutt Memorial Scholarship
Established by Dr. Dennis McNutt and friends in memory of Charlotte McNutt who served as a teacher and supervisor in the Savanna Unified School District and an adjunct faculty member at Vanguard to support students who seek to enter the teaching profession with a multiple subject credential.

Mel and Marita McNutt Memorial Scholarship
Established by alums Mel and Marita McNutt who served as missionaries in Africa and educators in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District to support students who seek to enter the teaching profession with a multiple subject or special education credential.

Janice Munemitsu Kindness of Color Endowed Education Scholarship
This fund is established for the purpose of supporting teacher candidates who attend Vanguard University with a sense of calling to bring love, wisdom, and kindness to their classrooms. This scholarship recognizes the legacy of generosity of the Munemitsu family and the servant leadership of Janice Munemitsu, author of The Kindness of Color, which tells the story of the Mendez and Munemitsu families whose lives were woven together in the quest for a kinder and more inclusive society and greater educational and economic opportunities for all.

Myers-Haneke Endowed Scholarship
Established by John and alumna Dianne (Myers) Haneke to support students as they pursue a career in teaching.

Tom and Donna Watt Endowed Scholarship
Established by alums Tom and Donna Watt to support outstanding Graduate Education students.

Ward Williams Christian Higher Education Endowed Scholarship
Established by alumni and friends in honor of Dr. Ward Williams who served as a WWII chaplain, pastor, and faculty at Vanguard to support students who are preparing for ministry or teaching in Christian higher education.

Music Scholarships

Ralph Carmichael Endowed Scholarship
This fund is established in honor of Ralph Carmichael (’47) who is considered “the dean of contemporary Christian music.”

Edwin Elliott Endowed Music Scholarship
Established by family and friends in honor of Music Professor Emeritus Edwin Williams to support outstanding music students. Preference will be given to students who have demonstrated exceptional aptitude and ability in Music Theory classes.

Don and Marilyn Fontana Endowed Music Scholarship
Established by friends and family in memory of Don Fontana, a prominent Orange County church chorale conductor, to support students preparing for a career emphasizing a leadership role in music education or music ministries.

Haynes/Kraiss Endowed Music Scholarship
Established by President Emeritus Wayne and Barbara (Haynes) Kraiss in honor of Margaret Haynes to support outstanding music students.

Patricia Crouse Leggett Endowed Music Scholarship
Established by alumna Eileen Hollison in memory of alumna Patricia Crouse Leggett to support outstanding music students.

Ruby E. Merrill Endowed Scholarship
Established by alums Don Merrill and Donna (Merrill) Moon and friends in memory of Ruby Merrill, a renowned church pianist and choir director, to support music students who are committed to developing their music abilities to serve the Lord.

Linnie Olson Endowed Keyboard Scholarship
Established in honor of alumna and internationally known organist and pianist Linnie Jane Claypool Olson to support music students who have demonstrated a desire to prepare for music ministry, and are studying piano or organ. 

Mark Thallander Endowed Organ Scholarship
Established by alum and renowned organist Mark Thallander to support music students who plan to use their gifts for music ministry and are studying piano or organ.

Valdez Family Endowed Music Scholarship
Established by Meryl Valdez to support outstanding music students. 

Holly Lash Visel Memorial Scholarship
Established by Jon Visel and friends in memory of alumna Holly Lash Visel to support outstanding students majoring in music.

Norma Willson Endowed Voice Scholarship
Established in honor of alumna Norma Willson to support outstanding vocalists who are majoring in music.

Psychology Scholarships

Myrna LeGrand Endowed Scholarship
Established by generous donors to support outstanding students majoring in Psychology.

Jerry White Endowed Scholarship
Established by the family of Professor Dr. Jerre White to support outstanding student in the Graduate Clinical Psychology program who intend to become licensed clinicians

Religion and Ministry Scholarships

Don Baldwin Endowed Scholarship
Established by the Baldwin family and friends in memory of Religion Professor Emeritus Donald Baldwin to support students majoring or minoring in religion with intent to enter vocational ministry.

Florence Blossom Beck Endowed Scholarship
Established the Blossom family and Alhambra Bethany Church in memory of alumna Rev. Florence Blossom Beck for her lifetime of service to the Lord and the Assemblies of God to support outstanding students majoring in religion.

Dorsey-Bogdan Endowed Scholarship
Established by alumna Anita Dorsey Stine to support students currently involved in some kind of outreach ministry and who desire to serve in the mission field.

William W. Brewer Endowed Scholarship
Established by alum William E. Brewer and Carol Godsey and Helen Reems in memory of their father Rev. William W. Brewer to support students going into ministry with the Assemblies of God.

Willyla Bushnell Endowed Scholarship
Established by Drs. Robert and Ruth Bayley in honor of Willyla Bushnell, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Religion, who served the school for 24 years and was the first woman to teach in the Religion department. Scholarship supports students making commitments to full-time Christian ministry. 

George, Anna, and Cheryl Calvert Endowed Scholarship
Established by Anna Calvert to support students who intend to enter full-time ministry.

Joseph and Irma Colombo Endowed Scholarship
Established by alums Joseph and Irma Colombo to support married students pursuing ministry.

MaryBelle Sauter Cox Endowed Scholarship
Established by MaryBelle Sauter Cox to support outstanding students pursuing ministry.

James N. Cruse Memorial Scholarship
Established by alums Fred and June Cruse in memory of their son James Cruse to support outstanding students with at least two years consistent involvement with the Royal Ranger program or the Girls Ministries program in good standing with their leaders

Victor and Mona DeRouis Endowed Scholarship
Established by alum Victor DeRouis to support students preparing for work or ministry in Latin America.

Richard L. Dresselhaus Pastoral Ministry Scholarship
Established in honor of the ministerial legacy of Richard. L. Dresselbaus to provide funding for Vanguard students called to vocational pastoral ministry in the Assemblies of God.

Gene and Barbara Forrest Endowed Scholarship
Established by family and friends in memory of alumni Gene and Barbara Forrest to support students who are preparing for a career in full-time ministry, missions, music ministry, or media ministry.

Wes and Polly Hale Endowed Scholarship
Established by the Hales for the purpose of creating a legacy dedicated to those students who have been called to a life dedicated to the furtherings of the gospel of Jesus Christ as their primary vocation, and who understand this calling mandates a deep theological understanding of the Bible and an equally strong personal relationship with Jehovah God.

 The Heuser Endowed Scholarship
Established by the Heuser family and friends in memory of Rev. Darwin (1921-2000) and Ona (1922-2009) Heuser, who faithfully served the church in a variety of leadership positions throughout their lifetime – pastoring Assemblies of God churches in Wisconsin, Illinois, and California, and served as district denominational leaders and campus pastors at Trimity Bible College. The Heuser Scholarship fund is intented for graduate students in religion who are credentialed, or plan to pursue credentials with the Assemblies of God.

D.T. Jenkins Endowed Scholarship
Established by alum Victor DeRouis in honor of classmate Rev. Don Jenkins to support students preparing for work or ministry in Latin America and/or working with Hispanic church and community leaders in other countries including the United States.

Ruby Keener Memorial Scholarship
Established by alum Harold Keener in memory of his wife, alumna Ruby Keener, to support students preparing for ministry.

Edward F. Nielsen Endowed Scholarship
Established by alums and fellow classmates Edward Nielsen and Alfred Silvera to support students who are preparing for some form of Christian ministry and are financially trying to complete their senior year.

Paul Oddo Endowed Scholarship
Established in honor of Paul and Ann Oddo for their years of generous support to The Bridge Church and Vanguard University to support those currently serving or preparing to serve in ministry. 

Eli and Ruby Quenta Student Endowed Scholarship
Established by Eli and Ruby Quenta to support Filipino students who are preparing for ministry.

Religion Endowed Scholarship
Established to support outstanding students in a Relgion program. 

Robert and Marian Sauls Endowed Scholarship
Established by alums Robert and Marian Sauls to support students preparing for pulpit ministry.

John B. Scott Endowed Scholarship
Established by family and friends in memory of Dr. John B. Scott to support students who are preparing for church ministry.

William Seaberg Endowed Scholarship
Established by alumna Evelyn Seaberg and friends in memory of alum William Seaberg to support students who are preparing to serve the Lord in foreign missions.

Hyman Israel Specter Endowed Scholarship
Established by the Specter family in memory of alum Hyman Israel Specter, an Orthodox Jew who was converted to Messianic Christianity, served as a missionary with the Assemblies of God, and founded Rock of Israel Ministries. Scholarship supports students who have a goal of entering Jewish ministries.

William and Alma Williams Endowed Biblical Languages Scholarship
Established by Religion Professor Emeritus William Williams and alumna Alma Williams to support outstanding students in their study of biblical languages

Science Scholarships

The Dr. Virgil Galey, DDS Endowed Scholarship 
Established in memory of Dr. Virgil Galey, DDS for the purpose of creating a legacy and providing funding to those called into the medical field, as a ministry opportunity, to assist those in need, so they may share and pass on their love of the Lord. 

Bonnie and John Livingston Endowed Scholarship
Established by Bonnie and John Livingston to provide merit-based awards to upper-level students who have declared interest in attending Medical School and are the first in their family to attend a four-year University. 

Larry McHargue Endowed Science Scholarship
Established in honor of Larry McHargue to provide funding for undergraduate students in the Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Math programs with an interest in pursuing clinical health care or science education as a career. 

Athletic Scholarships

Doug and Iris Dee Barnes Athletic Scholarship
Established by friends and family of Douglas and Iris Dee Barnes to support outstanding athletes.

Veterans Scholarships

Fletcher Jones Foundation Veterans Endowed Scholarship
Established by the Fletcher Jones Foundation to support the education of veteran students. 

Veterans Endowed Scholarship in Memory of Thomas W and Katherine J Smith
Established by the Tom and Becke Prince to support the education of veteran students. 

Global Center for Women and Justice Scholarships

GCWJ Survivors Endowed Scholarship
Established by the Global Center for Women and Justice to support students who are survivors of human trafficking. 

Endowed Funds

Artist in Residence
Established by Tammie Ortega and John Fowler to support the art program.

Capital Fund
Established to provide funding for the continued maintenance and improvement of Vanguard’s physical campus.

Career Services & STEM Endowed Fund
Established by Vanguard University for the purpose of supporting the Career Services STEM Stipend program.

General Endowment 
Established to support the strategic priorities of Vanguard University. 

Allen Klosowski Veterans Resource Center Endowed Fund
Established by Allen Klosowski to support the Veterans Resource Center at Vanguard

Library Endowed Fund
Established by alumna Vonnie Franks to provide for acquisition of library materials and resources.

Bruce Howard Lindsay Endowed Library Fund
Established by Bruce Lindsay to support the O. Cope Budge Library.

Donald Lorance and Larry McHargue Science Research Fellowship (NOT YET FULLY AVAILABLE)
Established to support distinguished faculty and students to contribute to the advancement of the sciences through innovative research projects.

Charles and Virginia Tipton Endowed Fund (NOT YET FULLY AVAILABLE)
Established in honor of Harold and Faith Needham to benefit the Needham Chapel, providing upgrades such as equipment, chairs, paint, lighting and landscaping. 

Valdez Family Endowed Fund
Established by Meryl Valdez to support the professional development of music faculty and students at Vanguard.

Endowed Chairs

Wayne E. Kraiss Distinguished Chapel Series
Established by Vanguard University Trustees and supporting churches in honor of retiring President Wayne Kraiss. Consistently voted favorite chapel speaker by the student body, this lectureship fund recognizes President Kraiss’ legacy.

Endowed Lectureships

Bill and Joanne Larson Lecture for Ethics & Business
Established by Bill and Joanne Larson to invite partnership between Vanguard University and business leaders in the community.

*If any of the information above is incorrect or misrepresented, please contact development@vanguard.edu or 714.966.5442.


To support any of the following existing endowed scholarships or funds, click the button below. Once on the giving form, select “Other” in the Designation drop-down box and then type in the name of the scholarship or fund you’d like to support.

Interested in establishing a new endowed scholarship or fund? Contact us at development@vanguard.edu or 714.966.5442.