STEVE HARPER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

One of the best-known Kansans of his time, Steve Harper left his mark on Kansas through photographs and words. During his career, he was a photojournalism instructor at Wichita State University, the Wichita Eagle’s photography editor and eventually, the newspaper’s outdoors writer and photographer.

            Steve’s trademark works were photographs and articles working together on the natural beauty of Kansas. His series in the Eagle on Kansas day trips led to the publication of his popular book, “83,000 square Miles, No Lines, No Waiting,” His outdoor page was several times voted the best of its kind in the nation.

            Sadly, Steve died of cancer on February 6, 2000, at the age of 55 in the same Newton house where he had grown up and raised three daughters.

            The Harper Memorial Scholarship was started at the suggestion of Governor Bill Graves, among others, as a way to honor Steve’s dedication to Kansans and serving the Kansas outdoors.

            The scholarship is sponsored and funded by the Outdoors Writers of Kansas, a group of Steve’s friends and assorted journalists, photographers and artists dedicated to sharing the greatness of the Kansas outdoors through print, broadcast and online markets. For more information on the group, go to www.outdoorwritersofkansas.com. The Kansas Wildscape Foundation is also assisting with the funding and administration.

            As Steve would have wished, the scholarship is presented to Kansas youth pursuing wildlife or nature-based careers at Kansas colleges, with Kansas-based career goals.

            An excellent judge of character, Steve put as much stock in a person’s initiative and accomplishments as academic successes. The scholarship committee will give equal  consideration to all three qualifications.

            Eligibility -

            Scholarships are available to any graduating senior enrolled in a Kansas high school that plans to attend a four-year college or university in Kansas and study wildlife or nature-based curriculum including outdoor journalism. Also eligible are university students enrolled in a wildlife or nature-based curriculum.

            Scholarship award recipients are selected without regard to race, color, religion, or sex.

Applicant chosen as the recipient of this scholarship will be required to show proof of full time enrollment (minimum of 12 credit hours) in order to receive the scholarship funds.

            The Kansas Wildscape Foundation will be assisting in the scholarship administration where scholarship application and additional information can be requested from Debbie Brandt, Director of Administration, at dbrandt@sunflower.com or 785-843-9453. Michael Pearce, Outdoors Writer for the Wichita Eagle and Chairman of the Steve Harper Scholarship Committee for the Outdoor Writers of Kansas, can be reached at mpearce@wichitaeagle.com with further questions.

            Applications for the scholarship are available at Kansas’s high schools on or before March 1 of each year. The completed application and supporting documents must be returned to on or before April 15 to the following address:

Kansas Wildscape Foundation

Attn: Outdoor Writers of Kansas Steve Harper Scholarship

2500 W. 6th St., Suite G

Lawrence, KS 66049

            A letter of recommendation must accompany the application. The letter of recommendation may be from a teacher, counselor, coach or employer. Those hoping for careers writing about or photographing wildlife or nature should send examples of their work.