This fund is designated to provide scholarship opportunities to undergraduate students from Appalachian counties in honor of Dr. Patricia Cunningham, WGSS alumna, to further her pledge of increasing access to higher education for all. These scholarships will be awarded based on academic merit and commitment to student leadership.
Dr. Cunningham was a three-time graduate of Ohio State University and received her Bachelor of Arts in Women's Studies in 2002 going on to receive her doctorate in Education Policy and Leadership in 2011. In Women's Studies, she was part of the first cohort of undergraduate students who helped create the department’s Peer Power group, which led discussions on gender, race, and sexuality in area high schools. In the College of Education, she taught courses on race, poverty, gender, civic engagement and leadership, and oversaw several community outreach programs as Director of Social Change. She was the founder of the Appalachian Project Ohio which focused on pathways to education for Ohio State's Appalachian students.
Dr. Patty dedicated her time, resources, and soul to serving all students both on and off-campus. She tirelessly worked to break down barriers for students to obtain a college education and pursue their endeavors beyond. She will be greatly missed by the many students she mentored and the OSU community.
Apply For the 2025-2026 Scholarship
One $500 scholarship will be awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Criteria, Eligibility & Application Materials:
- GPA of 3.4 or higher
- May not be a senior graduating in Spring 2026
- Resume
- Undergraduate students must be from the Appalachian region.
- Declared in an Arts and Sciences major.
- Students must be enrolled full-time during the 2025-2026 academic year
Deadline:
- March 1st, 2026
Congratulations to our 2025 Scholarship Winner, Claire Bowen-Kunkler!
Claire J. Bowen-Kunkler is a storyteller, scholar, and community advocate from Southeastern Ohio, where her deep appreciation for culture, place, and people first took root. She is passionate about amplifying marginalized voices through education, community engagement, and public history.A senior in The Ohio State University’s Honors Program, Claire is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication with a minor in Women and Gender Studies and holds an Associate of Applied Science in Parks and Museum Education from Hocking College. Her current Undergraduate Honors Thesis and Global Arts + Humanities Fellowship research project, The Mountains Remember Her Name: Oral Histories of Appalachian Womanhood, documents and uplifts the lived experiences of women across Appalachian Ohio—bridging personal storytelling with academic inquiry to honor the resilience and complexity of women in the region.Claire’s professional journey includes experience at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and The Ohio State University Student Life Student Wellness Center, where she has supported initiatives in education, digital media, and public engagement. Beyond the classroom, she serves as the Mental Health Student Representative for the Campus Safety and Mental Health Student Advisory Board for the State of Ohio, Co-President of Buckeyes for Recovery, and Communications Officer for the OSU Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Club. She is also a member of the Wexner Arts Center Student Advisory Board, the OSU Student Conduct Advisory Board, the OSU Community of Appalachian Student Leaders, the OSU TRIOTA (WGSST Honor Society), the OSU chapter of the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success, and the Franklin Park Conservatory Women’s Board.At the heart of her tenacious spirit, unceasing grit, and fortified devotion to her work lies a belief in the power of communication to preserve culture, foster empathy, and inspire social change.