MSU Veteran Services awards more than $15,000 in scholarships to veterans and spouses

Montana State University’s Veteran Services office recently awarded scholarships totaling more than $15,000 to veterans  and their spouses at the annual veteran appreciation dinner, held April 29 in Bozeman.

The students and the awards they received are listed below by scholarship name, scholarship recipient and hometown.

 

The Veterans Family Freedom Scholarship was established for veterans of the United States Armed Forces and their spouses to show support for their protection of our freedom. The Harold T. Mellang Memorial Scholarship wasestablished by David and Janyce Hoyt in memory of Janyce’s father, Harold, a veteran himself. The Robert M. Hoyt Memorial Scholarship also established by David and Janyce Hoyt in memory of David’s father, Robert, who was also a veteran. The winners received all three scholarships for a combined award of $2,380 to each.

Amanda Spring, a resident of Great Falls, is a nursing student due to graduate in December 2017. She is the spouse of Air National Guardsman Jason Spring.
Joshua Healy, a Marine Corps veteran from Kalispell, is studying sustainable food and bioenergy systems. He is due to graduate in May 2017.
Justin Elias, from Sahuarita, Arizona, is a Marine Corps veteran studying computer engineering. He is due to graduate in May 2019.

The Wade Christiansen Purple Heart Scholarship is given in memory of Army Paratrooper Wade Christiansen, who received a Purple Heart from his service in Afghanistan. Christiansen was an MSU student studying photography when he died in 2013. The scholarship was established to honor his service and sacrifice to the country. The scholarship is a $1,000 award.

Shane Heiser, a retired Air Force Veteran from Ferndale, Washington, is studying agriculture business. He is due to graduate in May 2018.

The Henderson Family Scholarship was established by William and Marilyn Henderson to help make higher education attainable for servicemen and women, as well as their spouses. The scholarship is a $3,500 award.

Jacob Corpron, an Air Force veteran from Kalispell, is studying cell biology and neuroscience. He is due to graduate in May 2017.

The Carol Clarke Smith Scholarship for Veteran’s Spouses. This scholarship was established by Carol Clarke Smith, who believes in broadening access to higher education for those families who sacrifice to support the country. This award is for $4,000.

Hannah Pettis, of Billings, is the wife of Marine Corps veteran Ryan Pettis. She is studying nursing and is due to graduate in May 2018.

For more information on the scholarship program or on Veteran Services, visit http://www.montana.edu/veteran/.