Scholarships

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How do your gifts make a difference at DMU? Let us count the ways: Through the generosity of alumni and friends, the university has established a variety of funds that provide critically needed scholarships, bring distinguished experts to campus, support provocative conferences and more. In addition to the funds listed on this page, each DMU college and academic program has a scholarship fund as well as a fund that supports college/program priorities. Regardless of size, every gift to DMU makes a positive and important difference.

Scholarships, Awards and Priority Program Funds

The following funds are available as options when designating your gift:

All Programs CHS Specific COM Specific CPMS Specific

All Programs

The DMU Fund is an annual fundraising campaign that strives to raise unrestricted gifts to the university. Unrestricted money has allowed the university to invest in student scholarships, technological and facility improvements, our excellent faculty and many other university needs and opportunities.
The DMU Scholarship is an unrestricted university-wide scholarship which will be distributed to students enrolled at DMU.
The W. Stevenson & Luther T. Glanton Fund is intended to be used for scholarships and other programming related to diversity at DMU. Funds are used for scholarship assistance and recruiting of qualified minority students. Celebrating the Honorable Luther T. Glanton Jr. and Willie Stevenson Glanton’s passion for helping others succeed, the couple created the Glanton Fund.
The White Coat Program. Those who wear the white coat accept the responsibilities of their professions and confirm their commitment to practicing with integrity and wisdom. Consider a gift to the white coat program today!
The Bertrand R. Adams Endowed Memorial Scholarship was created through the will of Mary Adams, Dr. Bertrand Adams’ widow. Dr. Adams was a 1943 College of Osteopathic Medicine who served as a physician for almost 50 years.
The Joseph Dorgan Trust provides financial assistance for African-American students.
The Employees Supporting Students Scholarship provides an opportunity for employees and their family members to make contributions for scholarships to DMU students with the recognition that faculty and staff support the future of DMU students.
Foster Group Fund for Global Health will support Global Health initiatives international and/or domestic for Des Moines university.
The Dr. Angela L. Walker Franklin Fund focus’ on the following principles for the future: Diversity and inclusivity; Curriculum mapping and enhanced clinical experiences for all students’ Assessment and Faculty development. Established by DMU’s 15^th president, President Angela L. Walker Franklin, the Dr. Angela L. Walker Franklin Fund delivers curriculum and hands-on learning experiences to faculty development and a curriculum that addresses culturally competent care.
The Joyce and Stanley Gallagher Endowment Fund was established by the couple to support high-priority programs of the university.
The Greater Issues Lecture Series Fund will support a lecture series that will help cast a national spotlight on DMU as a facilitator of vital discussions of the most pressing public health issues. The series will feature discussions on a broad range of health topics with top leaders who share their expertise and perspectives with DMU.
The Mental Health Initiatives Fund assists in addressing the nation’s significant need for highly competent mental health care providers through behavioral health, student and faculty development initiatives.
The Paul and Josephine Kloetzly Scholarship Fund was established by the couple to support DMU students.
The Justice Alfred D. Lerner Endowed Scholarship Fund benefits DMU students who are veterans of the U.S. military in good academic standing and who have financial need. The justice Alfred D. Lerner Endowed Scholarship Fund was established to honor his service to DMU and the nation.
The Charlene Beatrice Mastandrea Scholarship Fund was established by Robert E. Mastandrea in memory of his wife, Charlene Beatrice Mastandrea. The scholarship is to assist worthy and deserving young men and women who are enrolled and pursuing courses on a full-time basis.
The Gordon Meaney Scholarship was established through its namesake’s trust to honor the memory of his son, William Meaney, D.O., a 1952 DMU graduate. The fund supports scholarships.
The Health P.A.S.S.Fund supports the Health P.A.S.S. program that brings to campus promising undergraduate students for immersion into graduate medical and health science programs and exposure to health careers. Preference is given to those under-represented in medicine and health sciences.
The Knuessl Anatomy Fund was established by Frank M. Kneussl, Ph.D., to support the Department of Anatomy.
The Edward and Amanda Miller Family Endowment Fund provides scholarships to DMU students with an interest in pediatric and adolescent medicine.
The Katie Miller Endowed Fund established in memory of a COM student who died from colorectal cancer, supports a regular conference on campus focused on cancer issues faced by young adults.
The Claude Oster Scholarship Fund offers support to all students with financial need who are enrolled in or accepted into DMU. Preference is given to students enrolled in COM and to dependents of members of the United Auto Workers or dependents of an organized labor union.
The Rural Clinic Pathways Fund is used to address the shortage of rural health care by enhancing its electives that give students clinical experiences and insights into the unique demands of rural medicine. This fund will also be used to assist in expenses related to the DMU mobile clinic serving rural areas not necessarily receiving the medical attention needed.
The Dr. Yogesh and Deval Shah Endowed Scholarship was established by the couple to support Global Health initiatives international and/or domestic for Des Moines University.

CHS Specific

The College of Health Sciences Annual Fund provides critically needed scholarships, brings distinguished experts to campus, and supports provocative conferences and more per discretion of the CHS dean. The educational programs and the daily operations of each college are supported by its own annual fund. Des Moines university’s College of Health Sciences offers distinctive curricula focusing on patient-centered care in its programs of health care administration, public health, physical therapy, and physician assistant.
The College of Health Sciences Scholarship is an unrestricted scholarship which will be distributed to students enrolled in any program within the College of Health Sciences.
The John Buckner, PA-C, Memorial Award was established by Jo Ann Buckner and John E. Forette, D.P.M., in memory of a 1983 graduate of the DMU physician assistant program. The award recognizes a second-year student who demonstrates leadership, academic excellence and a compassionate, caring attitude toward patients and fellow students.
The Cahalan Endowed Scholarship Fund was created by Jodi and Don Cahalan to honor the grandparents, parents and other northern Iowans like them. The couple established the Cahalan Endowed Scholarship Fund in DMU’s College of Health Sciences (CHS) to support highly deserving students, especially those from northern Iowa, who seek to enroll in the college.
The Judith McNabb Linden Scholarship Fund awards a $1,000 scholarship to a CHS student with an interest in the service mission of health care and in nonprofit work.
The Sandra Teague Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by members of the master of physical therapy program class of 1998, CHS faculty and staff, and Teague family members in memory of a 1998 D.P.T. graduate who was killed in the tragic plane crash that targeted the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. The scholarship is awarded annually to D.P.T. students in their final year of the program.

COM Specific

The College of Osteopathic Medicine Annual Fund provides critically needed scholarships, brings distinguished experts to campus, and supports provocative conferences and more per discretion of the COM dean. The educational programs and the daily operations of each college are supported by its own annual fund. Founded in 1898, Des Moines University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine is the second-oldest osteopathic medical school in the United States. Students experience a rich curriculum, innovative courses and electives, accessible faculty and exceptional facilities. While gaining strength from the past, the college’s future is increasing the opportunity to develop outstanding osteopathic physicians to provide health care to the people of Iowa and the nation.
The College of Osteopathic Medicine Scholarship is an unrestricted scholarship which will be distributed to students enrolled in the College of Osteopathic Medicine.
The Dr. Allen and Terry Auerbach Endowed Scholarship was established by the Auerbachs to benefit College of Osteopathic Medicine students with financial need who have a strong interest in family medicine.
The Class of 1969 Endowed Scholarship Fund was created by class members. Scholarships are to be awarded to rising fourth-year COM students who are recommended by the dean, who have demonstrated outstanding academic initiative since matriculation and who exemplify outstanding professional promise in the osteopathic profession.
The Kevin A. Colburn Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by a bequest from Mr. Colburn, who died from complications from AIDS in 1991. After graduation, he served a Navy internship at Jacksonville Naval Air Station and was then assigned to the Aircraft Carrier Constitution based in San Diego. He was medically retired from the Navy due to his failing health. He then worked with the University of California-San Diego Medical Center in its AIDS clinic as a medical researcher. Mr. Colburn served on the board of the AIDS Foundation in San Diego and was president of San Diego Physicians for Human Rights. Upon his death, he was honored by the mayor of San Diego for his contributions to the city. Scholarships are awarded to students enrolled in the College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Nicholas R. Conway, D.O. Endowed Fund supports priorities of the University with preference given to those in the COM program.
The William Cruzen Endowed Scholarship Fund was created by a gift from Dr. Cruzen. The scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, deemed in significant need of financial assistance, have demonstrated an interest in practicing emergency medicine and are in good academic standing with the University.
The Des Moines General Hospital Scholarship benefits students currently enrolled or accepted to enroll in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Preference in awards is given to students from Iowa who have a strong commitment to the state and intend to practice in Iowa. Criteria for these annual awards also include past academic achievement and financial need.
The Desert Storm Veterans’ Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by Michael M. Fishkin, D.O.’73, and Ellen D. Fishkin to honor the men and women who left their homes and practices to serve their country and help their fellow human beings during Operation Desert Storm. The fund awards $500 per year to a third-year COM student based on high academic standing and a tangible interest in military medicine.
The Dorothy Diener Memorial Fund was established through Dr. Diener’s estate. Recipients are selected based on financial need.
The William J. Dyche, Ph.D., Emeritus Faculty Scholarship was established by the DMU Board of Trustees to honor this professor emeritus of anatomy.
The Harry B. Elmets, D.O., Endowed Fund was established to honor Dr. Elmets, FAOCD. He was a graduate of distinction of the Des Moines Still College of Osteopathy and Surgery Class (now DMU) of 1946; he’d already begun his academic career in 1943 as a student instructor in the anatomy department. A founding member of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD), which he twice served as president, Dr. Elmets worked to open doors to osteopathic physicians in the Des Moines medical community. He also was a Fellow, past president and chairman of the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology. The COM National Alumni Association named him Alumnus of the Year in 1980, and in 1994 he received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from DMU. He served on the Board of Trustees for 31 years. Dr. Elmets died in 2004. Funds are used to bring in lecturers in dermatology or other medical topics.
The Bernard and Ava Feldman Scholarship was established by two DMU alumni to support a student enrolled in the College of Osteopathic Medicine on an annual basis.
The Leonard Fronton Scholarship was established by the estate of Leonard Fronton, D.O. to award scholarships to students enrolled in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. A preference is given to students who have previously received undergraduate or graduate degrees in pharmacy or pharmaceutical science.
The Murray Goldstein Scholarship was established by this 1950 graduate of the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, which named him Alumni of the Year in 1990.
The Merrill M. Goldstein Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of Dr. Goldstein, who was a mentor and friend of DMU President Richard Ryan as well as professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. Annual awards are based on academic achievement, financial need and leadership qualities.
The Howard A. Graney Surgery Fund is named in memory of a 1933 graduate of Still College of Osteopathy, now DMU, who was renowned for his unwavering commitment to his patients and to the medical students he trained. The fund provides support that helps students attend conferences and other training opportunities and monetary awards for outstanding teaching, writing and leadership in surgery. The Howard A. Graney Surgery Fund was established in his honor in 1999 to enhance the education of students and residents preparing to enter surgical careers.
The Catherine A. and Watson A. Gutowski Endowed Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to fourth-year students who are enrolled in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. The scholarship will be awarded to a student who has been voted as the most likely to make monumental advances in the field of Osteopathic Medicine. The voting will be determined by third and fourth-year students with oversight from the Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine.
The Harry Samuel and Helen Gertrude Heller Scholarship was established by Gary L. Heller, D.O.’78, in honor of his parents and their support of him and his brother, Jeffrey, D.O.’83, while they were DMU students. Scholarships are awarded to COM students based on financial need and the maintenance of satisfactory academic standing and progress.
The Dr. Bernard E. and Pauline I. Herbert Scholarship Trust Fund grants scholarships to deserving students pursuing educational activities in the medical field relating to Osteopathic Medicine.
The Imperial Apartments and Grand Prix Apartments Endowed Scholarship was established by Richard & Lucinda Raabe; Michael & Deborah Hubbell; Verlin & Phyllis Cadwallader; Leslie Babich; and Jeff & Lisa Werth. This scholarship is awarded to COM students, selected by the dean based on past academic achievement, leadership qualities and financial need.
The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) Scholars Program provides scholarships through the IMS Foundation and IMS education fund.
The Barbara and Donald Janower Endowed Scholarship Fund was created by the couple to provide scholarships for COM students in good academic standing who demonstrate significant need of financial assistance.
The Margaret A. and Richard M. Kotz Scholarship benefits students who are enrolled or accepted into the College of Osteopathic Medicine with high past academic achievement, leadership qualities and financial need.
The Priti Lacy, Ph.D., Emeritus Faculty Scholarship was created by the DMU Board of Trustees to honor this emerita professor of anatomy.
The Joan Lans Endowed Scholarship was established by David M. Lans, D.O., in honor of a family member. Scholarships will be awarded to College of Osteopathic Medicine students who have demonstrated financial need and interest in and/or involvement in music. Joan Lans loved music and was an accomplished piano player, so her family wanted to honor her in this way.
The Byron Laycock Student Scholarship/Loan Fund, established in memory of Dr. Laycock by his wife, Johanna, helps osteopathic students who are interested in promoting the principles and practice of osteopathy, with preference given to fellows in the Department of Osteopathic Manual Medicine. Dr. Laycock taught osteopathic manual medicine at the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences (now DMU) from 1940 to 1975.
The Diane McCaughtry Memorial Fund was established by Martha Foster in memory of her daughter, a COM student who died in 1977. The award of $100 is given to a third- or fourth-year student who demonstrates financial need; shows improvement over two years of study; is active in extracurricular activities; has the ability to work harmoniously with fellow students and faculty; and shows promise as an osteopathic physician.
The Joseph R. McNerney D.O. Award for Excellence in Internal Medicine is an award that was established in 2010 honoring the late Dr. Joseph R. McNerney for his contributions to not only Des Moines University but to the osteopathic profession itself. This award is presented during the COM Graduation Banquet each May to the graduating osteopathic student who has excelled in the area of Internal Medicine.
Dr. James & Eleanor Mitton Scholarship Fund was established to benefit students in the COM program. Two $5,000 awards are granted each year to students who have demonstrated financial need.
The John S. Molea, D.O., Endowed Scholarship Fund was established by Nellie J. Molea in memory of her husband, a member of the Class of 1959. Scholarships are awarded to COM students entering their third year based on financial need, community service and the maintenance of satisfactory academic standing and progress.
The Paul and Marcia Morris Endowed Scholarship Fund was established to benefit individuals in their community who want to pursue a degree in osteopathic medicine. This scholarship is awarded to a student from the state of New Jersey studying in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Morris is a 1978 graduate of DMU and has been practicing family medicine in Carlstadt, New Jersey for more than 35 years.
The Ononuju Scholarship Fund also known as This American Medical Missionary Care Endowed Scholarship established by Dr. Chidozie J. Ononuju provides scholarship support to students enrolled in the College of Osteopathic Medicine who have an interest in Global Health and research.
The Peace, Charlie Fund in Global Health was created in honor of the donor’s desire in promoting peace throughout the world by using global health initiatives to increase awareness.
The Physician Patriot Award established by Dr. & Mrs. Arvin Trippensee was created to honor and support College of Osteopathic Medicine students who have or are committed to serve in the military.
The Plundo/DeGregory Family Endowed Scholarship Fund was established when the Plundo and DeGregory families joined together provide financial assistance to fourth year students in the College of Osteopathic Medicine who are pursuing Family Medicine as a career.
The Marjean R. Reed Endowed Scholarship Fund was established for the sole reason of honoring the outstanding teaching legacy of Marjean J. Reed, R.N. who spent 11 years at Des Moines University educating more than 3,500 students in the principles of basic surgical skills. Under her watchful eye and compassionate and caring demeanor, students were allowed to develop surgical skills in a safe and encouraging environment that will last them throughout their entire medical career. Her unrivaled dedication to surgical education set a standard of excellence that will serve as a model for an entire generation of future educators and physicians.
Paul L. Ruza, D.O. Scholarship Fund is open to students enrolled in or accepted in to the COM program. Recipients shall demonstrate academic achievement, leadership qualities and financial need.
The Barbara Sowers Scholarship was established through the estate of Mrs. Sowers to benefit students who plan to practice osteopathic manual medicine.
The Myrtle Hohl Staley Scholarship was established by Ms. Staley through a charitable remainder unitrust to assist first-year College of Osteopathic Medicine students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership qualities and financial need. Preference is given to qualified students from Iowa. The scholarship may be renewed for recipients in their second year based on financial need.
The William Karl Stefan Scholarship Fund, established through the estate of Mr. Stefan, provides scholarships to COM students.
The Aletha Tente Dawson Scholarship supports COM students with financial need and high academic achievement.
The Charles L. Timmons Scholarship was established by Eugene L. Timmons, D.O.’59, in memory of his father, Charles Timmons, D.O.’18.
The William V. Utter Endowed Scholarship Fund benefits COM students with significant need of financial assistance who are in good academic standing with the University.
The Geneva D. Watson Scholarship Fund was established in 1991 through the estate of Ms. Watson, a grateful patient of a northwest Iowa osteopathic physician. The fund supports worthy students during their third or fourth year.
The Garrett Reed Wheeler Award in Pediatrics was established in memory of the grandson of Kendall Reed, D.O., FACOI, FACS, dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. This $1,000 award is given annually to a COM graduate who has chosen to specialize in pediatrics.
The Kelly K. Wifler Scholarship is dedicated to the memory of a second-year COM student who died tragically in the fall of 1998.

CPMS Specific

The College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Annual Fund provides critically needed scholarships, brings distinguished experts to campus, and supports provocative conferences and more per discretion of the CPMS dean. The educational programs and the daily operations of each college are supported by its own annual fund. Des Moines University’s College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery is one of eight accredited podiatric medical schools in the nation and the first to be affiliated with an academic health science center. Students take the same courses as DMU’s osteopathic medicine students their first year and part of year two. Students benefit from a breadth of teaching methods and learning opportunities including online applications, computer animation, motion analysis and lifelike models in state-of-the-art facilities.
The College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Scholarship is an unrestricted scholarship which will be distributed to students enrolled in the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery.
The Bakotic Endowed Scholarship Fund, created by a gift from the company Bako Pathology, is awarded annually to third- and fourth-year students in good academic standing with significant financial need and proven excellence in pathology based on their first two years at DMU.
The Iowa Podiatric Medical Society Foundation Scholarship is awarded to College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery who are residents of the state of Iowa and who intend to practice podiatry in the state of Iowa following residency training.
The Dwayne S. Rivard Memorial Scholarship honors the late Dr. Rivard with an annual award given to a fourth-year CPMS student who has displayed academic and clinical excellence in the surgical curriculum.
The Rebecca A. Stills Memorial Scholarship was established by CPMS faculty, alumni and friends in memory of Ms. Stills. Becky Stills epitomized the friendly, supportive nature of DMU as an administrative assistant to the dean of the CPMS. In 2003 she lost her battle to cancer, but her legacy of caring for students continues on via the Rebecca A. Stills Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The Mel Straub Scholarship was established by DMU’s 14th president, Terry Branstad, to honor his long-time friend. The scholarship is awarded annually to a CPMS student.

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Scholarships, Awards and Priority Program Funds