Neal O Thorpe Memorial Scholarships

The Neal O. Thorpe Memorial Scholarship supports Alaskan students’ attendance to one of 15 eligible universities and colleges (see below for list of eligible schools). Preference will be given to Alaska Native students. Strong preference will be given to students who are the first in their immediate family to attend college or university, although non-first generation students may also apply. The Neal O. Thorpe Memorial Scholarship awards successful applicants $7,500 per year for up to five years who attend one of the eligible universities or colleges. The scholarship will be paid directly to the applicant’s school to cover education expenses.

Dr. Thorpe was a Trustee and Executive Director of the Murdock Charitable Trust and had deep ties to Alaska through his work to improve the quality of life for Alaskans. Dr. Thorpe enjoyed flying, and for many years owned and flew his own small private plane. A humble and quiet man, Dr. Thorpe’s hearty and infectious laugh could nonetheless often be heard and enjoyed from far away. Understated but wise, he always thought carefully and thoroughly before speaking. His dry sense of humor and keen wit displayed the apparent spontaneity that only careful thought can produce. Dr. Thorpe did many things well, and was very much appreciated and loved by all those who worked with him. He would wish to be especially remembered as a person of strong faith, deep personal integrity, and deep love for his family.

Eligible universities/colleges for this scholarship program:

A) Alaska Christian College – Soldotna, AK

B) Alaska Pacific University – Anchorage, AK

C) Concordia University – Portland, OR

D) Corban College – Salem, OR

E) George Fox University – Newberg, OR

F) Montana Bible College -Bozeman, MT

G) Multnomah University – Portland, OR

H) Northwest Nazarene – Nampa, ID

I) Northwest University – Kirkland, WA

J) Pacific Lutheran University – Tacoma, WA

K) Seattle Pacific University – Seattle, WA

L) Trinity Lutheran College – Everett, WA

M) University of Portland – Portland, OR

N) Warner Pacific College – Portland, OR

O) Whitworth University – Spokane, WA