William Woods University (WWU) is endowing another new academic scholarship after a third significant monetary gift in the past two months from a generous University donor.
The Samuel Conley Schiltz Scholarship is funded by a $250,000 gift to WWU by Theresa Vonderschmitt, a highly successful businessperson, long-time University benefactor and member of the William Woods Board of Trustees since 2004. Ms. Vonderschmitt’s latest gift follows her groundbreaking endowment of $1.7 million for the WWU Center for Equine Medicine, announced in December 2020 and her $200,000 gift to fund a first-ever Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship at William Woods, which was announced on January 19.
“We express our sincere gratitude to Theresa Vonderschmitt whose support of William Woods, through her years of service and philanthropy to the University, has benefitted generations of our students,” said Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett, President of William Woods University. “Her gifts of more than two millions dollars in just the past two months will enrich the educational opportunities for students now and in the future. We are inspired and exhilarated by the generosity of Ms. Vonderschmitt, a true friend of the University.”
The new scholarship is in memory of Samuel Conley Schiltz, son of WWU Associate Professor of Equestrian Studies and University Veterinarian Paul Schiltz and his wife, Cathy Schiltz. The scholarship will be influential in attracting incoming students who have demonstrated leadership and service to others and will be open to students choosing to pursue any field of study offered at WWU. Candidates must have a 2.5 grade point average or above as an incoming high school senior, incoming transfer student or as a currently enrolled student. The scholarship is renewable for each academic year with full-time enrollment, a 2.5 GPA or above, and with ongoing demonstrated leadership and service to others.
The first recipients of the Samuel Conley Schiltz Scholarship will be welcomed to WWU in the fall semester of 2021.
