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” as your fund and then write 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 [email protected] 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.

Truda Viola Fairris Litzmann Endowed Scholarship

Established by alum Lewis Litzmann in honor of Truda Litzmann to support outstanding students.

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.

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 firs tin their family to attend a four-year University.

Morris/Kuhl Inner-City Endowed Scholarship

Established by alums Leonard and Nevelyn Morris and friends Robert and Monique Kuhl to support students who are relocating to Vanguard from the Los Angeles inner-city with significant financial need.

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.

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 FULLY FUNDED)

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 education students who are following God’s calling as teachers in Christian 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.

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

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.

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.

Valdez Family Endowed Music Scholarship

Established by Meryl Valdez to support outstanding music students.

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.

Jerre White Endowed Scholarship

Established by the family of Professor Dr. Jerre White to support outstanding students 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.

Bogdan/Hale Endowed Scholarship

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

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.

Joseph and Irma Colombo Endowed Scholarship

Established by alums Joseph and Irma Colombo to support married 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.

Darwin and Ona Heuser Endowed Scholarship

Established by the Heuser family and friends in memory of Rev. Darwin and Ona Heuser to support students pursuing a vocational call to ministry in the Assemblies of God denomination.

Ruby Keener Memorial Scholarship

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

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.

Robert and Marian Sauls Endowed Scholarship

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

Barbara Forrest Turner Memorial Scholarship

Established by family and friends in memory of alumna Barbara Forrest Turner, an Assemblies of God Women’s Ministries leader and fervent missions fundraiser, to support students who are preparing for full-time ministry with an emphasis on missions.

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.

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.

George, Anna, and Cheryl Calvert Endowed Scholarship

Established by Anna Calvert to support students who intend to enter full-time ministry.

MaryBelle Sauter Cox Endowed Scholarship

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

Victor and Mona DeRouis Endowed Scholarship

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

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.

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.

Eli and Ruby Quenta Student Endowed Scholarship

Established by Eli and Ruby Quenta to support Filipino students who are preparing for 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.

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. The 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 (NOT FULLY FUNDED)

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 firs tin their family to attend a four-year University.

Athletic Scholarships

Doug Barnes Memorial Scholarship

Established by Mrs. Dee Barnes and friends in memory of Doug 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 Prince

Established by the Tom and Becke Prince to support the education of veteran students.

Global Center for Women and Justice Scholarships

Trafficking 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.

General Endowment

Established to support the strategic priorities of Vanguard University.

Library Endowed Fund

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

Donald Lorance and Larry McHargue Science Research Fellowship (NOT FULLY FUNDED)

Established to support distinguished faculty and students to contribute to the advancement of the sciences through innovative research projects.

Valdez Family Endowed Fund

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

Capital Fund

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

Allen Klosowski Veterans Resource Center Endowed Fund

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

Bruce Howard Lindsay Endowed Library Fund

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

Charles and Virginia Tipton Endowed Fund (NOT FULLY FUNDED)

Established in honor of Harold and Faith Needham to benefit the Needham Chapel, providing upgrades such as equipment, chairs, paint, lighting and landscaping.

Endowed Chairs

Richard Dresselhaus Chair of Pastoral Preaching (NOT FULLY FUNDED)

Established by First Assembly of God in San Diego in honor of long-time and beloved pastor Richard Dresselhaus. Supports a distinguished faculty member with demonstrated excellence in preaching for the purpose of preparing students for pulpit ministry.

Endowed Lectureships

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.

Bill and Joanne Larson Lectureship 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 [email protected] 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” as your fund and then write 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 [email protected] or 714.966.5442.