This annual scholarship, a cash award of up to full tuition (in state), has several purposes:

·         To build awareness of the academic achievements and community service of sexual minority students at WSU.

·         To encourage recipients to continue their studies and become supportive community leaders.

·         To raise the hopes and aspirations of sexual minority students, many of whom strive against great odds to make positive contributions.

·         To build a more positive image of sexual minorities, both among themselves and in the public mind as contributing citizens in our society.

Recipients of Matthew Shepard Scholarships must be full-time WSU students at sophomore level or beyond and must openly support gay, lesbian or bisexual issues. They will be selected on the basis of academic achievement, financial need, community service, and personal goals. They will be expected to maintain high academic standards and to study and work on behalf of sexual minorities and human rights. Qualified and deserving students have received Matthew Shepard Scholarship funds annually since the 2000-2001 academic year. 

The Matthew Shepard Scholarship Committee was organized in the Fall of 1998 by 18 concerned individuals from Weber State University, Ogden and Salt Lake City. The scholarship endowment fund is supported by over 270 donors. Although donations have been received from across the country and around the world, the majority of donations and donors are from Northern Utah. 

On November 2, 2002 Judy Shepard visited WSU to deliver the keynote address at the WSU Diversity Conference. In her keynote, and at the following reception  in her honor, she continued to stress her strong support for the scholarship at WSU and its importance in helping to stop hate crimes. 

"Our family would be most honored to have a scholarship fund in Matt's memory . . . such a generous offering."
                --Judy Shepard (mother of Matthew Shepard)

Please help us increase the awareness and acceptance of sexual minorities by contributing to this important scholarship fund. Donations are accepted online or may be sent to the address below. 

For more information please contact:

or call

801 626-6194