New Gift for Scholarships

Dedicated University of Denver donors Beth and Dan Whittemore (BSBA ’63, JD ’72) recently made a gift to the Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) to fund the Howard Walkingstick Momentum Endowed Scholarship. The new scholarship will provide support for Native American MSW students who are members of a federally recognized tribe. The scholarship is named in honor of Howard Walkingstick, a member of the Cherokee Nation who graduated from GSSW in 1949. Notably, he was the was the first Native American in the nation to earn an MSW.

The Whittemores have long supported the interests of Native American students at DU, investing in scholarships and programs across campus that strengthen their education in the Sturm College of Law, Daniels College of Business, Lamont School of Music and more. When describing the impetus for the scholarship, the Whittemores stated, “It was inspired from the current issues of generational Indigenous trauma arising from boarding school atrocities and so many fatalities at the schools. This scholarship may help prepare Native Americans to enhance the issues of healing and justice.”

According to GSSW Dean Henrika McCoy, “The generosity of Dan and Beth Whittemore will be transformational for students at GSSW. Their gift will open doors for Native American MSW students as they prepare to enter the social work profession.” She adds, “This support will have a long-lasting and significant impact for our student recipients and their respective communities. The support being provided by the Whittemores' gift will enable our students to be fully committed when partnering with others who are also dedicated to social justice and to creating meaningful change where they reside and work. We are deeply grateful for the partnership and visionary philanthropy of the Whittemores.”