Memorial scholarship honors cousins
Dirk Mcbratney, ESU Media Relations
Thursday, October 2, 2008
A scholarship created for Emporia State University students in the 1960s now has a new twist, memorializing two cousins at the same time.
When William F. Phillips, a geography professor for 30 years at ESU, passed away earlier this year, his wife Marylee Phillips of Emporia had an idea. William’s cousin Vernita Rich was already recognized in a memorial scholarship, and Marylee knew how close the cousins were. So Marylee combined the funds, creating the William F. Phillips and Vernita Rich Memorial Scholarship to provide a legacy for both.
William and Vernita were far apart in age but enjoyed a close friendship, and Vernita was a favorite of the family’s. “I knew that Bill was very found of Vernita, and I knew she had this scholarship,” Marylee said. “I thought it would be a nice thing to revive hers and add his name. I knew they were very close and revered each other."
The scholarship is reserved for students with a GPA of 3.5 or above majoring in special education or the social sciences.
Vernita Rich’s fund was established in 1963 by ESU professor Everett Rich, who was not related to Vernita. She earned a bachelor’s degree in 1935 and a master’s in special education in 1954, both at Kansas State Teachers College (now ESU). Her career as a teacher was characterized by hard work through adversity and great skill, and concern for the field of special education, a field in which she became influential.
She was also influential in William’s life. “They were very close as cousins, and she encouraged him to go to college,” Marylee said.
William earned his bachelor’s degree in 1954 at KSTC and married Marylee Kiene, also of the class of 1954, in 1958. He earned a master’s degree at KSTC and his doctorate in geography at the University of Kansas, and served as a schoolteacher and principal at several schools in the Kansas public school system.
As a professor at ESU from 1969 to 1999, Phillips’ primary discipline was as a cartographer; he also served for some time as president of the faculty senate. Phillips served as an exemplary student advisor and member of the advising council and, for three years, directed the general education program.
Those interested in contributing to the William F. Phillips and Vernita Rich Memorial Scholarship Fund or learning more may contact the ESU Foundation at 341-5440, 1500 Highland St., Emporia, KS 66801, or online at www.emporia.edu/saf/foundation.