Memorial Educational Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis for post high-school education to individuals with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, their spouses, and their children. Scholarships range from $1,000 to 2,500. The number of scholarships awarded are based on availability of funding.

Peter Smith Scholarship

Peter Smith believed that knowledge is power. He demonstrated this by writing, editing and publishing Alpha-1 News from 1989 until 1992. By October of that year, he had spread the word to over 1200 households. His efforts encouraged, enlightened and inspired those with Alpha-1 to reach out to one another and to learn. The intent of the Peter Smith Scholarship is to continue the tradition of inspiring and assisting by helping those with Alpha-1 and their families learn and achieve. The program is currently administered by the Alpha-1 Association, located in Miami, Florida.

John W. Walsh, III. Memorial Scholarship

John W. Walsh, III was the father of John IV Walsh, Fred Walsh, Judith Walsh and Susan Ferro.  He was a friend and mentor to hundreds of Alphas and a patriarch of the Alpha-1 community.  He became extremely well-known to Alphas across the country, when he made a personal commitment to support his three Alpha-1-affected children in creating awareness and increasing detection of Alpha-1.  As a coach and counselor at Melrose High School, Walsh dedicated his life to working with young people. He served two terms as President of the Massachusetts Guidance Counselors Association and later worked in admissions at Merrimack College. Following his retirement, he was a life coach to many, including those with Alpha-1.

 

Robert (Bob) Haggerty Educational Scholarship

Bob Haggerty was the face and voice of the Alpha-1 Association for almost a decade. He served as Treasurer for many years as well as Master of Ceremonies at the National Conference. He guided the Association with a calm, steady presence, always had a smile to share, and genuinely cared about and for other Alphas. Bob’s sense of humor was a testament to his Irish heritage. He made people laugh and through laughter their problems were diminished, even if just for an evening or moment in time.

2010 Peter Smith Scholarship Awards

Funded by grants from CSL Behring, James Trimble and Talecris Biotherapeutics Center for Education and Science

$2,000
Ethan Patrick Hartnett
Doreen Flook
Tiara Johnson
Tiffany Bower

$1,000
Erin Gorey
Christopher Molhoek
Matthew Colbran-Patterson

2010 John W. Walsh, III. Memorial Scholarship

Funded by a grant from AlphaNet

$2,500

Zachery William Bruce

2010 Robert (Bob) Haggerty Educational Scholarship

Funded by memorial gifts from family and friends

$2,500

Kelly Joy Finch

Eligibility Criteria

These scholarships are open to Alphas or children of Alphas who demonstrate financial need and who have been accepted for study at an approved institution, i.e., an accredited university, community college or technical institute. Funds may be used for:

• Tuition
• Registration and other fees
• Books and related materials

Please contact Louise Koonce at 800-521-3025 ext 16 or lkoonce@alpha1.org for more information.

Applications are due by April 1, 2011.  The review committee will announce scholarship winners on May 15, 2010. 

Download an application below:

Traditional College Students

Adult Student / Career Change due to Alpha-1 Disability