By Drew Curley/EAC
THATCHER — Eastern Arizona College awarded scholarships to 101 students earlier this semester during its 41st annual Scholarship Banquet. The annual event recognizes academic achievement, leadership, community service, and the generosity of donors who make educational opportunities possible.
Scholarships may be based on academic merit, financial need, community involvement, areas of study, or other donor-designated criteria. Awards are funded annually through recurring contributions or through endowed gifts that support students year after year.
The Alumni Association Scholarship, supported by annual gifts from EAC alumni and presented to students who are children or grandchildren of alumni, was awarded to Hunter Barney of Thatcher; Adysen Hoopes of Pima; Tessa John of Buckeye; Tayela Larsen of Winslow; Richard Ortiz of Thatcher; Jacob Payne of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Jada Rubalcava Griffin of Gothenburg, Nebraska; and Brooklyn Denny.
The Ashley Marie Beals Memorial Scholarship, which honors Ashley Marie Beals and supports future healthcare professionals, was awarded to Jaime Blancarte of Safford. This full-tuition award supports a full-time nursing or pre-medical science student.
The Bernstein Brothers Memorial Scholarship, supporting a single parent pursuing higher education, was awarded to Alexis Cassady of Georgetown, Ohio.
The Brent and Raydene Cluff Scholarship, providing full annual tuition to music education majors with preference for future orchestra instructors, was awarded to Josie Rivera of Mesa.
The Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center Scholarship, which funds full tuition for a nursing student planning to serve in the CVRMC area, was awarded to Anisa Hanson.
The Debra Mullenaux Memorial Scholarship, created to honor Debra Mullenaux and support a married, full-time student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, was awarded to Tillanie Garcia Hansen of Concho.
The Dennis Braithwaite Memorial Scholarship, honoring Braithwaite’s longtime involvement with EAC’s Choral Program and Commencement, was awarded to Sadie Titus of Maricopa.
The Dr. Ron Keith Memorial Scholarship, supporting students in the EAC Band program and providing full annual tuition plus additional funds, was awarded to Samuel Shipitalo.
The Dudley S. Welker Scholarship, established in honor of Welker’s 40 years of service to the EAC Foundation and Alumni Association, was awarded to Lily Stapley of Mesa.
The Dudley and Marilyn Welker Family Scholarship, honoring the Welkers’ lifelong ties to EAC, was awarded to Emmabelle Hartman of Benson.
The Eastern Arizona Hispanic Family Heritage Scholarship, celebrating Hispanic heritage and providing full annual tuition, was awarded to Madaline Cundari of Safford and Sylar Romero of Arizona.
The Elaine Robak Scholarship, providing full tuition to students in nursing, radiology, or related programs, was awarded to Elizabeth Addington of Safford, Hudson Griffin of Thatcher, Madison Jarvis of Saint Johns, Kyrie Pollard of Willcox, and Chelsea Yeomans of Thatcher.
The Eldon Angle Memorial Scholarship, honoring Angle’s many years of service as an EAC instructor, was awarded to Jael Reyes of Deming, New Mexico.
The Frank H. Wulftange Memorial Scholarship, which provides full tuition to an education major, was awarded to Shelby Cardenas of Vail.
The Freeport-McMoRan Future Skills Scholarship, supporting degrees aligned with mining-industry workforce needs, was awarded to Jaycob Espinoza of Thatcher, Jada Gustina of Bylas, and Charly Jae Whetten of Bonita.
The Geoff and Jennifer Despain Family Band Scholarship, supporting a student who participates in the EAC Band, was awarded to Shea Barentine of Silver City, New Mexico.
The George R. Bingham Memorial Drama Scholarship, honoring George R. Bingham Jr., was awarded to Tabitha Voelker of Globe.
The Glenn S. Smith Memorial Scholarship, honoring Smith’s 24 years of teaching accounting at EAC, was awarded to Thomas Tregaskes.
The GFWC Woman’s Club of Safford Scholarship, awarded to a Gila Valley high school graduate and providing full annual tuition, went to Mattie Udall of Thatcher.
The Jeffrey R. Vaughn Memorial Scholarship, supporting students in nursing or emergency medical services, was awarded to Katelyn Stauffer of Thatcher.
The Jesse and Betty DeVaney Scholarship, awarded to a returning student majoring in business administration or computer science, was presented to Dillon Smith of Lakeside.
The John Mickelson Endowed Scholarship, awarded to outstanding freshmen returning for their sophomore year and named in honor of state Sen. John Mickelson, was presented to Kirsten Hatch of El Paso, Texas, and Adam Nicholas of Thatcher.
The Jose Sosa Scholarship, established in honor of ASPIRE Program director Jose Sosa, was awarded to Rianna Montez of Thatcher.
The Kainoa’s Scholarship, created to support students in the food service industry and provide full annual tuition plus a book scholarship, was awarded to Kayla Turley.
The Kathryn Murphy–Spencer L. Kimball Scholarship, awarded to university transfer students with strong GPAs and service, was presented to Megan Fillerup of Sahuarita and Victoria Njonge.
The Keyhole Properties Business Scholarship, provided for local female students, was awarded to Esther Wilson of Pima.
The Kristie Spencer Scholarship, awarded to single parents studying business, nursing, science, or computer science, went to Monica Melendy.
The Large Binocular Telescope Scholarship, supporting students from the San Carlos and White Mountain Apache communities, was awarded to Veronica Bonilla of San Carlos; Rehema Kabaru of Nairobi, Kenya; Kayrie Kindelay; and Andres Moreno.
The Lorenzo and Jeanene Flake Scholarship, honoring the Flakes’ contributions to EAC, was awarded to Ian Fish of Snowflake.
The Mac Donald Scholarship Endowment, supporting EAC music students, was awarded to Felicity Pizell of Holbrook.
The Mark J. Green Excellence in Spanish Scholarship, awarded in memory of Mark J. Green, went to Tommy Christensen of Thatcher.
The Mary Kim Titla Scholarship, awarded annually to a Native American student demonstrating strong character and achievement, was presented to Aliyah Mitchell of Bylas.
The Meghan Lynne Hammer Memorial Scholarship, awarded to Miami and Globe High School seniors pursuing music, was presented to Kyle Monroid of Miami.
The Mount Graham Regional Medical Center Foundation Scholarship, awarded to nursing students from Graham or Greenlee counties, was presented to Debby Cerda of Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico; Dalee Wallace of St. Johns; and Sophia Welker.
The Newman Sustaining Board Scholarship, awarded to students active in the Newman Club and demonstrating faithful Catholic living, was awarded to Catalina Chacon of Safford, Ana Almada Gonzalez of Tucson, Alaiah Montez of Thatcher, and Dakota Ybarra of Safford.
The Order of the Eastern Star Scholarship, supporting students with financial need and community service, was awarded to Priscilla Aranda of Safford.
The Paula Dinsmore Daman Scholarship, providing full annual tuition and established in memory of alumna Paula Dinsmore Daman, was awarded to Kerstin Haymore of St. David.
The Phyllis Martin Lord Scholarship, honoring a life of service, was awarded to Dallen Rogers of Tucson.
The Pizza Edge Scholarship, awarded to students from northeastern Arizona who exhibit strong character, was presented to Raynee Attson of Chinle, Cash Sells of Many Farms, Kehng Begay, and Quinesha Brown.
The Richard and Margarita Gardea Excellence in Education Scholarship, supporting minority student success and providing full tuition, was awarded to Ebone Erving of Anchorage, Alaska.
The Safford Lions Club Scholarship, providing full tuition to incoming freshmen from Graham County high schools, was awarded to Wilhelm Eisenhauer of Tuba City, McKenzie Weech of Safford, and Kenzie Chlarson.
The Safford Rotary Club Scholarship, awarded to deserving Graham County graduates, was presented to Ariyal Aveles of Silver City, New Mexico.
The Sandra Nelson Clark Memorial Scholarship, supporting a music student with a preference for organ or harp, was awarded to Lucas Hoffman of Granger, Indiana.
The Sarah Lamoreaux Memorial Scholarship, honoring Lamoreaux’s legacy and awarded to students who exemplify goodness and positive influence, was presented to Aarian Hornburg of Pima and Declan Carlton.
The Southwest Gas Foundation Scholarship, providing full annual tuition, was awarded to Joshua Mountford of Gilbert.
The Sumitomo–Freeport-McMoRan Scholarship, providing full tuition to industrial technology students, was awarded to Austin Hollowell of Safford, Blake Lee, and Christian Rodriguez.
The Ted and Mona Larson Memorial Scholarship, honoring the Larson family’s ties to EAC, was awarded to Yajaira Ochoa of Willcox.
The United Way Scholarship, awarded to high school graduates of Graham and Greenlee counties to improve local educational attainment, went to 29 students: Ashley Anaya of Clifton; James Anderson of Morenci; Treyvon Cheney of Bylas; Kryzzia Cortez of Morenci; Gabriel Enriquez of Safford; Samantha Ferreira of Fort Thomas; Rosie Granados of Safford; Briseis Hudman of Morenci; Cameron Huffman of Safford; August Lindsey of Duncan; Celina Manuz of Clifton; Miranda McGinty of Safford; Madison McGrew of Thatcher; Alexis McKinney of Morenci; Carly McWhorter of Pima; Candra Montez of Safford; Robyn Motes of Safford; Evie Nordman of Morenci; Joby Rojas of Thatcher; Kasandra Romero of Safford; Maura Rubalcava Blair of Thatcher; Chaleese Webb Rojas of Safford; Kamryn Wood of Pima; Ethan Curtis; Brianna Gunnett; Cody Jones; Runyon Kinney; Rachel Sumner; and Hailey Welker.
The Walter and Julia Rogers Scholarship, providing full tuition to a student pursuing a university transfer degree or an employment-ready certificate, was awarded to Jackson McBiles.
The Wayne Flake Memorial Scholarship, honoring faculty emeritus Wayne Flake and awarded to a student studying psychology, sociology, or education, was presented to Amirra Rasmussen of Mesa.
Students interested in scholarships for the 2026–27 school year must apply by Dec. 31. For more information or to apply, visit EAC Scholarships. To contribute to or establish a scholarship, contact David Udall, director of EAC’s Foundation, at (928) 428-8296. The EAC Alumni Association is available online and on Facebook.
About Eastern Arizona College
Since 1888, Eastern Arizona College has been the undisputed Smart Higher Education Destination, shaping student dreams into reality. With a faculty of qualified and caring instructors, EAC is committed to preparing students for high-demand careers and advanced studies at top universities.
Offering a diverse range of over 90 degrees and certificates and two bachelor’s degrees, EAC is home to the state’s premier nursing school, a fine arts program featuring Arizona’s only community college marching band, and an engineering program that equips students for success at top-tiered firms and universities.
Beyond academics, EAC is a vibrant community where students thrive, forging connections that last a lifetime. At EAC, students can live in on-campus housing, engage in over 30 clubs and organizations, participate in dynamic intramurals, and cheer for nationally ranked athletic and e-sports teams.
What sets EAC apart is its commitment to financial accessibility, allowing most students to graduate with $0 debt.
Choose EAC as your Smart Higher Education Destination. For more information, visit www.eac.edu or call (928) 428-8272.
