Helena Wooldridge

Wooldridge scholarship ‘family’ continues to grow

By Shanxi Upsdell, 2008 graduate
Originally published in the Spring 2007 issue of J-Links

Roger Wooldridge was an only child, but the number of brothers and sisters in his extended family grows each year. The scholarship in his name has helped his “siblings,” the Wooldridge scholars, earn journalism degrees at the University of Kansas since 1974.

His parents, Norris and Helena Wooldridge, created the scholarship as a memorial after his death in 1973. Norris died at age 84 in 1999, and Helena died at age 89 on Jan. 15, 2007.

Before she died, Helena spoke in a final interview about Roger and the Wooldridge scholars, whose number reached 140 journalism students in 2006.

“They were like an extended family,” she said. “That’s the way I felt about them.”

The scholarship has become one of the hallmarks of the Journalism School, providing financial assistance, emotional support and lifetime membership in the Wooldridge family in honor of their son.

2008 Wooldridge Scholars

2006 Wooldridge Scholars

2005 Wooldridge Scholars

2003 Wooldridge Scholars

Roger was born in 1952 and grew up in Kingman on the Wooldridges’ farm. Helena described him as “a real good kid” who “never was a minute’s trouble for us.”

“He was a lot like me – he might butt in where he wasn’t supposed to,” she said, laughing. “But he’d do it because he thought he was helping.”

In 1970, Roger enrolled at KU and began pursuing a public relations major.

After interviewing for an internship in South Dakota in 1973, he started driving back to Lawrence. He was killed when his car crashed in a field near Norfolk, Neb.

“I had so many older people come up to me after he was dead,” Helena said. “They’d say, ‘I just want to tell you how I enjoyed your son.’ And I’d say, ‘Well, why?’ and they’d say, ‘Because he talked to older people.’ … That made me feel real good.”

The Wooldridges added personal touches to the Roger Wooldridge scholarship, which goes to Kansas high school graduates who intend to pursue a degree in journalism. The fund provided $41,000 last year to 14 recipients.

They paid for dinners to meet the students before such events became commonplace, said Joe Zanatta, director of scholarship support and assistant vice president at the KU Endowment Association.

“They were a decade or two ahead of the other scholarships,” he said. Mary Wallace, assistant to the dean of journalism, said the Wooldridges often brought relatives and friends to the dinners. It was always held in the English Room of the Kansas Union.
Scholars updated the Wooldridges on their progress every year until graduation. They still gather annually.

“It’s like watching members of the family kind of get their wings and grow out,” said Dale Seuferling, president of the KU Endowment Association. Seuferling said the Wooldridges treated the scholars like family, commenting on world affairs and giving advice.

“We try to continue that as much as possible and in that spirit,” he said.

Early scholarship recipients include Jerry Seib, Washington bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal and winner of the William Allen White Foundation’s 2005 National Citation.

Seib said the Wooldridges expressed genuine interest in the scholarship recipients and made sure to meet each one.

“They wanted to see the opportunities that they couldn’t see carried out in their own lives carried out by the people who were beneficiaries of their generosity,” he said.

Jeanny Sharp, editor and publisher of The Ottawa Herald, said the scholarship allowed her to finish her journalism degree in four years.

“I hope someday that I can return that kind of investment in me to others,” she said, “because I know what a difference it made for me.”

Lori O’Toole Buselt, WichiTalk editor of The Wichita Eagle, said the scholarship allowed her to work more at The University Daily Kansan, becoming editor in spring 2001.

“Throughout my career, I think I’ll always look back and feel fortunate for that opportunity,” she said. “My way to give back is to be the best journalist I can be.”