Carper Benefits from Scholarship Funded by Truman Alumni

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Students from Scotland County have been attending Truman State University — or the same school under one of its six previous names — for over 150 years. That history is being celebrated this year, and current students are benefiting.

Emma Carper is the first ever recipient of the Scotland County Scholarship, which was endowed by generous alumni with connections to SCR-1. Carper, a 2024 graduate of Scotland County, is currently pursuing a degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders at Truman. She says:

“Although I am extremely grateful to be the first ever recipient of the Scotland County Scholarship, it is more than just a scholarship to me. This scholarship has reminded me time and time again that people in my community truly believe in me and it makes the support even more special. Growing up in this amazing community truly shaped the person that I am today, and knowing that this scholarship came from an alumni of Truman State University as well as an alumni from my very own high school, makes it even more special. This scholarship has given me the encouragement that I have needed to keep pursuing my dreams at Truman State University and to never give up on what I truly want for my future. I hope that I will be able to give back and help support the future students of Scotland County just as someone helped and supported me.”

The drive to endow the scholarship, which will forever benefit Scotland County students, was led by Emily (Kiddoo) Kelchen. She graduated from Scotland County in 2004 and Truman in 2008 before attending law school at the University of Wisconsin. She credits the scholarship she received from Truman for her decision to attend school there.

“Growing up in Scotland County meant I associated Kirksville more with Walmart and Mexican food than Truman,” Kelchen said. “Although it was one of the first colleges I visited, I didn’t think it was where I wanted to go. But I kept comparing every college I toured to Truman, and none of them measured up. That made me start to think more seriously about Truman, but it was the scholarship I was offered that really sealed the deal.”

Once Kelchen came up with the idea for this scholarship, many SCR-1 alumni stepped forward to make it a reality. To date, over $19,000 has been raised from over a dozen donors. As additional money is raised, the amount of the scholarship, or the number of scholarships offered, can increase.

Scotland County students who want to take their Tiger pride to Truman are also automatically eligible to receive a Northeast Missouri Scholarship worth up to $2,000. Although Truman has a statewide mission and attracts students from around the world, hundreds of students from northeast Missouri attend the school every year, and the area is home to more than 3,000 alumni.

Together, these scholarships ensure more Scotland County students have an incentive to take a closer look at Truman, and have the means to attend if the college catches their eye.

“Truman is very proud to call northeast Missouri home. Students like Emma and alumni like Emily are fantastic representatives of the great people in our corner of the state,“ University President Sue Thomas said. “We are enormously grateful to everyone who supports the Scotland County Scholarship. Together with the Northeast Missouri Scholarship, we hope this scholarship will pave the way for future Tigers to make their own impactful marks on the world as Truman graduates.”

The Truman State University Foundation continues to accept gifts in support of the Scotland County Scholarship, which can be made at giveonline. truman.edu/SCR-1 or by contacting the Office of Advancement at (800) 452-6678.