NOC representatives join Shannon and Larry Andrews to recognize the establishment of the JoAnn M. Westphalen Endowed Memorial Scholarship. Pictured from left are Candy Oller, director of development and planned giving; Sheri Snyder, vice president for development and community relations; Shannon Andrews; Larry Andrews; and NOC President Diana Morris. (Photo by Mallory Kyler/NOC)
NOC Foundation establishes JoAnn M. Westphalen Endowed Memorial Scholarship
The Northern Oklahoma College Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce the establishment of the JoAnn M. Westphalen (JMW) Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The scholarship was established in memory of JoAnn Westphalen, a Northern Oklahoma College alumna and longtime educator, with the goal of empowering women through higher education.
Westphalen attended NOC in 1970 before earning her degree from Oklahoma State University in 1972. She went on to a career in education, teaching science and physical education at Ponca City East Middle School, formerly East Junior High, until her retirement.
The endowed scholarship reflects Westphalen’s commitment to education while providing opportunities for students who may be returning to college later in life.
“Whether enrolling in college for the first time first time or returning to college after some time in the workforce, this scholarship will truly provide non-traditional students with life-changing opportunities for education they might not otherwise be able to afford as it is renewable for up to four semesters,” said NOC President Diana Morris. NOC is grateful for the chance to honor JoAnn Westphalen’s legacy in this way.”
Preference for the scholarship will be given to a non-traditional female student age 25 or older. Preference will also be given to applicants who have not received another scholarship that would provide funds exceeding their additional expenses for the academic year.
The scholarship is open to students in any major. Applicants demonstrating financial need, scholarship aptitude and achievement will receive preference. Recipients may attend NOC full time or part time and must maintain a cumulative 2.25 grade-point average or higher. The NOC Tonkawa Scholarship Committee will select the recipient.
The fund will provide a minimum scholarship award of $1,500 annually beginning in fall 2027.
The scholarship is intended to be awarded to one recipient for up to four consecutive academic semesters, provided the student remains in good academic and conduct standing. One-half of the award will be applied toward the recipient’s NOC expenses during the fall semester, with the remaining half applied during the spring semester provided the recipient maintains a cumulative 2.25 grade-point average.
Those wishing to make a gift to the JoAnn M. Westphalen Endowed Memorial Scholarship or other NOC Foundation funds may contact the Foundation office at 580-628-6292 or give online through the NOC Foundation.
For more information about NOC scholarships, call Scholarship Coordinator Kerri Gray at 580.628.6763 or kerri.gray@noc.edu.
