Endowments

The ICCSD Foundation also has an endowment at the Community Foundation of Johnson County.  The fund provides continuing, long-term support for our schools and programs.   Contributions to this fund may be made through the Community Foundation of Johnson County and may be eligible for the Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

Donate to the Foundation Endowment at CFJC

The purpose of fund is to create and administer a scholarship in memory of Arthur Barrett Cornwall to be awarded annually to a City High School senior who plans to continue their education at a college, trade, or vocational school. The recipient should not be in the top 25% of their class and should be a person of good character who shows promise.

This scholarship is established in memory of Brian Cretzmeyer, a 1997 West High graduate, who was a talented musician and artist who inspired others with his music. Funding for the scholarship is through the Brian Cretzmeyer Trust for Young Musicians. Please contact the West High School counselors for additional information.

One senior male and one senior female participating in cross country at City High are selected to receive the Bud Williams Cross Country Scholarship each year.  The students must participate in cross country as a college freshman to receive the scholarship.  The scholarship was established in 1997 by Bud Williams who retired from the District after 37 years of service as a teacher, counselor, administrator and coach.  Contact your City High cross country coach regarding the award.

This scholarship is annually awarded to a City High music student exemplifying the spirited involvement and personal qualities of Christian Green, City High Class of 1994, who participated in many choir and band programs during his high school years.  The Christian A. Green Scholarship was established in his memory in 1997 by his parents. Contact the City High guidance office for additional information.

The City High Scholarship was established through an endowed fund by an anonymous donor in 2000 to provide for a scholarship to a graduating City High School senior of good character and academic standing planning to attend a college or university.  Contact the City High guidance office for additional information.

This memorial scholarship was created through an endowment in memory of classmates of City High Class of 1975. The award is made to a graduating senior who has earned a Silver Cord for community service during their high school years at City High and who will be continuing their post-secondary education.  Contact the City High guidance office for additional information.

This annual endowed scholarship was established by the Dane Family and other City High families in honor of Dr. Greg Grove, the choir director at City High, who retired from the District in 2014.  The scholarship recognizes Dr. Grove’s love of music, his accomplishments as a Division 1 athlete, and his 35 year career as a high school choral director.  Any student who has participated simultaneously in both music and interscholastic athletics while a student at City High School is eligible to apply.  Contact the City High guidance office for additional information.

Claire and Robert Ashman established this fund to support the City High World Languages Spanish Trip. The student will exhibit financial need and be highly motivated to learn Spanish.  Claire taught Spanish in the Iowa City schools from 1985-2007. Claire chaperoned the City High trip to Spain and delighted in seeing her former students make the leap to speaking with native Spanish speakers. For Claire, teaching Spanish was about expanding students' ability to connect with speakers of other languages and bring a global community closer together. Contact City High for more information. 

The David and Rosalie Braverman Family Community Service Award is given to one City High, one Liberty High, and one West High graduating senior, each of whom has demonstrated outstanding community service to their school or community during their high school years through volunteering.  Applications for this annual endowed award are available through the high school guidance offices.

DPO Education Scholarships are awarded to graduating ICCSD college-bound seniors planning to devote their careers to teaching in public schools.  The scholarships are funded with donations collected each year by the DPO from ICCSD school PTOs, community groups, and individuals as they recognize volunteers, students, and current and retiring staff who have made an impact in the schools.  The number of awards varies each year depending on donations in support of the scholarship and the number of applications received.  Contact the DPO or a high school guidance office for more information.

This endowed scholarship, established in December 2003 in memory of Don Gatens, recognizes one City High and one West High graduating senior for their athletic participation, good academic standing, community involvement, and citizenship.  Contact City High or West High guidance offices for additional information.

An endowed scholarship in memory of Doug Robertson, a 1980 West High graduate, is presented to a graduating senior from either City High or West High School.   The award is made to a student whose health has created additional challenges for them during their high school years.  Contact City High or West High guidance offices for additional information.

The Eberly En Voyage Scholarship provides financial assistance to a City High School student planning to participate in the school trip to France.  This endowed fund was created in memory of Carolyn Eberly.  Contact the City High French trip advisor or the guidance office for more information.

This scholarship was established in 2021 by Harvest City Church to celebrate the diversity of the West High School Boys Track program. The scholarship is awarded to a West High senior who has competed in West High Boys Track for all four years while in high school and who exhibits qualities such as leadership, teamwork, respect and a willingness to help and encourage others. Contact the West High Athletic office or boys track coach about the award.

The Jesse Smith Memorial Endowment was created in 2023 by his family to produce annual scholarships of $1000 each for post-secondary study for Tate High School graduates. As a longtime staff member at Tate, Jesse dedicated himself to making Tate a safe, positive, and consistent place. Gifts to the Jesse Smith Scholarship fund can be made here. 

This award, established in 2019 in memory of James “Jim” Hughes, provides multiple annual scholarships to City High students who are chosen for their commitment to good citizenship through generosity and kindness to others.  Contact the City High guidance office for more information.

This scholarship fund, in Joe Henderson's memory, was created in 2024 by his family. Funds support annual scholarships of $1000 each for post-secondary study for one City High and one West High graduating senior who has been directly admitted to the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa. Like Joe, qualifying students must demonstrate that they provided assistance to the underserved in our community. Joe volunteered at the Food Bank, provided tax assistance through the Tippie program at public libraries, and started a scholarship fund for potential students at Preucil for those in need of assistance.

This scholarship was established in honor of John Raffensperger, a teacher and track coach at City High School who was highly recognized for his coaching contributions during his career.  He retired in 2003.  The endowed scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior(s) who participated on the City High Boys Track Team.  Contact the City High School boys track coach or the guidance office for more information.

This endowed scholarship is named in memory of David Kanellis, a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and a long time Language Arts teacher at West High School.  The scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating West High School senior who plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa to become a teacher.  Contact the West High School guidance office for more information.

An endowed fund established in 2006 in memory of Kathy Riddle, a long-time supporter of City High Girls Basketball, provides an annual scholarship to a senior player on the team.  Contact the City High School guidance office for more information.

The Levy Growth Mindset Scholarship recognizes graduating seniors at West High School who demonstrate a “growth mindset” – a strong desire to learn along with the courage and desire to seek necessary help from teachers and other supports when faced with challenges and roadblocks to learning and understanding.  The endowed scholarship was established in 2017 by the Levy family.  Contact West High School guidance office for more information.

The Lucas Brenneman Memorial Scholarship recognizes a graduating senior who has participated in West High Boys Track for at least two years while in high school, including their senior year.  The recipient is selected by the coaching staff.  The scholarship was established by the Brenneman family in 2018 in memory of Lucas Brenneman, a 2012 West High graduate who was co-captain of the 2012 state champion track team and a multi-year Drake Relay and state track meet qualifier.  Contact the West High Athletic office or the West High boys track coach for more information.

The Marjorie Anderson Smith Business Scholarship is awarded annually to two graduating seniors from City High School who demonstrate financial need and plan to pursue a post-secondary degree in business or finance. Marjorie Anderson Smith, who had a career in banking, left a bequest to establish this endowed scholarship after her death in 1993.  Contact City High School guidance office for more information.

The Medd Award Fund provides ongoing support for West High School band students in honor of Rob and Rich Medd who developed one of the best band programs in the state of Iowa. In honor of their outstanding band leadership, we are establishing an endowed fund in their name.

Give to the Medd Award Fund

The Mr. Parker Science Award was created through an endowed fund in 1985 to honor eighth grade students who excel academically, especially in science, and who demonstrate good character, leadership and citizenship.  Whitie Parker was a junior high science teacher in Iowa City for more than 30 years.  His son, John, established the award in his memory.  Three monetary awards are presented annually – one to an eighth grader at each ICCSD junior high.  Science teachers and administrators make the selection at each school.

This scholarship award is given to a West High School senior female voted to be the friendliest classmate by members of the graduating class. It is named in memory of Pamela R. (Heck) Jones, a 1980 graduate of West High, who was also voted the friendliest person in her senior class.  Contact the West High guidance office for more information.

The Randy Larson Memorial Scholarship Fund provides kids exposure to a sport they love or may come to love through skill focused instruction and play. The scholarship encourages young athletes to embrace the practice and application of teamwork and good sportsmanship to enhance their game, character, and life skills.

Randy Larson (1955-2023) was an Iowa boy through and through born in Ames and living most of his life in Iowa City. He had numerous interests and pursuits evidenced by his career path culminating as the Founder and Owner of the Larson & Evenson law firm, restaurateur of several locales like the very popular Monica’s. He also served as a councilman in local politics, and radio color commentator for basketball. However, possibly his most rewarding role was as player/coach/commissioner of a variety of basketball leagues from a noon-time league in both Ames and Iowa City, to the Prime Time and Game Time Leagues running for decades, receiving accolades and recognition for all, including his role as Assistant Basketball Coach for West High and Head Coach at Highland and Regina. 

The Randy Larson Memorial Fund has been established to foster his philosophy of sport and life through camp sponsorship to those who may not otherwise be able to attend. The Athletic Directors and coaches at all ICCSD schools can refer a student for a scholarship. To support the fund, visit here. 

The Rox Shain Scholarship was established by Tom Roberts in 2020 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Rox Shain Award.  Mr. Roberts, City High Class of 1970, was the recipient of the first Rox Shain Award at City High School which recognizes the best senior male athlete at the school.  The Rox Shain Scholarship is presented annually to two individuals: the best male student athlete at City High who is selected to receive the Rox Shain Award and the outstanding female student athlete at City High who is selected to receive the Mona Schallau Award.  Contact the City High Athletic office or the guidance office for more information regarding the award.

This endowed scholarship was established by the late Stephen Hirt in memory of his parents, Russell and Helen Hirt, for the benefit of graduates of City High School.  It provides a four-year scholarship for four recipients annually.  Contact the City High School guidance office for more information.

The Sidney and Janice Tribbey Family Scholarship has been awarded annually since 2017 to a graduating City High senior who has excelled academically and plans to attend the University of Iowa.  The scholarship was endowed in memory of Sidney and Janice Tribbey who both had strong convictions regarding the benefits of education and encouraged their sons in their pursuit of knowledge.  Contact the City High guidance office for more information.

A student who is a member of the City High Ambassadors Club is eligible for the Sister Margaret Dane Hansen Ambassador Scholarship.  The annual endowed scholarship, established in 1999 by Robert Dane, commemorates Sister Margaret Dane Hansen’s (City High Class of 1932) years in education, her leadership, initiative, and organization, and a lifetime of exemplary service to others.  Contact the City High School guidance office for more information.

The Skyler Moss Foundation scholarship represents the life & legacy of Skyler Moss. Skyler is an Iowa City native & a 2001 graduate of City High where he was a multi sport athlete & leader. Skyler went on to play baseball at the U of I. After college Skyler became a volunteer coach for different sports & was an assistant City High baseball coach. Skyler was a family man & a friend to all who loved his community. Skyler will be remembered by his ability to impact people’s lives, his talent, humor & his dedication to sports, family & community. Please contact the high school counselors office for more information or to apply for the scholarship.

Multiple scholarships provided by the University of Iowa DeGowin Blood Center each year recognize students’ involvement in the blood drives held at each of the high schools.  The number of scholarships available is dependent upon the number of blood drives events held.

The Witinok Advancing Science Education fund provides multiple annual awards to advance science education in the District’s secondary schools.  The awards are available to junior high and high school science students and teachers.  They can be used to fund science experiences, to further the education of science staff or students, or to support secondary school projects that further sustainability in the schools or community.

This endowed award was established by the Engelhardt and Callaghan families in honor of Dr. Pat Witinok, who retired from the District in 2017 after 37 years of teaching science at West High School, Northwest Junior High, and North Central Junior High.  Applications for the award are available in February.  Contact a science teacher or the guidance office at any of the ICCSD secondary schools for more information.