Esther Hample Scholarship


Esther Hample was born in 1901 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She attended John Fletcher College (now Vennard College) in University Park, Iowa, where she studied biology. Esther taught high school in Iowa and Kentucky before moving to Bismarck in 1933. While in Bismarck, Esther continued her education by taking courses at universities in Iowa, North Dakota and Michigan. From 1959-1977, she was the Burleigh County Superintendent of Schools. In 1960, the Bismarck-Mandan Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPW) named Esther “Woman of the Year”. In 1976, the Bismarck Chapter of the National Secretaries Association named her “Boss of the Year”. That same year, Vennard College named Esther the “Distinguished Alumni” in the field of education. Esther was a member of McCabe Methodist Church, the Bismarck-Mandan Art Association, the Symphony League, the American Association of University Women, Zonta International and, of course, the Bismarck-Mandan Business & Professional Women’s Club. She was also active in other organizations including the Red Cross, Easter and Christmas Seals and other groups serving the state and community.

Esther never missed a BPW meeting, even after she started experiencing physical difficulties toward the end of her 91 years of life. Her original bequest to BPW was $1,333. Esther did a number of wonderful things in her lifetime and was well-respected. For these reasons, the Bismarck-Mandan Business & Professional Women’s Club wants to reward deserving women with this scholarship opportunity. The Bismarck-Mandan BPW Club has continued to add to the scholarship fund each year from various sources but mostly through monies raised via its annual golf tournament.


For an application contact: suzybpwmembership@gmail.com or you can download from our Facebook Page

Scholarship Details

One (1) $1200 scholarship and one (1) $600 scholarship will be awarded to applicants chosen by the Bismarck-Mandan Business & Professional Women’s Club Scholarship Committee. The North Dakota Community Foundation is responsible for disbursing the payments for the scholarships, which are sent directly to the school the recipient is attending. Further details regarding the scholarships are listed below.
o   For applicants attending, or planning to attend, any institute of higher learning located in the United States: The scholarship funds will be disbursed in two equal payments – one payment for the fall semester and one payment for the spring semester.*
-          The spring semester payment is contingent upon the student earning at least a 2.5 GPA (on a scale of 4.0) for the fall semester.**
o   For applicants attending, or planning to attend JZ Trend Academy: The scholarship funds will be disbursed in two equal payments.*
-          The disbursement of the second payment is contingent upon the student maintaining satisfactory progress.**
o   For applicants attending, or planning to attend The Hair Academy: The scholarship funds will be disbursed in two equal payments.*
-          The disbursement of the second payment is contingent upon the student having a combined score (theory and practical portions) of 75% or higher just prior to disbursement of the second payment.**
o   For applicants attending, or planning to attend Rasmussen College: The funds will be disbursed in two equal payments – one payment for the fall quarter and one payment for the winter quarter.*
-          The second payment is contingent upon the recipient earning a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a scale of 4.0 during the fall quarter.**
*If the scholarship recipient is close to completing her training and there is only one disbursement date left at the recipient's school, the Scholarship Committee is agreeable to pay the total scholarship amount in one lump sum.
**In the event the scholarship recipient is not eligible to receive the second payment, the Bismarck-Mandan Business and Professional Women’s Club requests that the remaining monies be returned to the Club.
Application Process - Applicant must submit the following:
1. A completed application form (incomplete applications will not be considered).
2. Two, typed letters of reference from high school teachers, college professors, community leaders and/or employers.
3. Your most current transcript showing GPA. If you have not attended school (high school or college) for 15 years or more, a transcript is not required. If you are currently attending a hairstyling school, please submit an official document showing proof of satisfactory progress. (A document on the school’s letterhead signed by the school’s financial aid director would suffice.)
4. Proof of enrollment in fall semester/quarter/session of the college, university, hair-styling school, or vocational school you plan to attend.

 Submit application packet to:

Scholarship Committee
Bismarck-Mandan Business & Professional Women’s Club
PO Box 4064
Bismarck ND 58502-4064
Deadline The application deadline is March 15, 2016. Applications postmarked after March 15, 2016, will not be considered. Scholarship announcements will be formally made at the Bismarck-Mandan Business and Professional Women’s Club golf tournament banquet the evening of July 20, 2016. Scholarship winners are strongly encouraged to attend and are allowed to bring one guest.

The chair of the Scholarship Committee will notify the recipients by phone and/or e-mail. Because only women participate in the golf tournament and attend the banquet, you may want to consider inviting a female as your guest.









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