Memorial Scholarship Funds
EUREKA!'s Memorial Scholarship funds are designed to honor foundational members of the EUREKA! community and are dedicated to preserving their legacy. Each member of the Memorial Scholarship page has played an invaluable role in ensuring math and science education is available to diverse communities, residents of the Grand Valley, and beyond! Funds donated to each Memorial Scholarship will be used to help underserved students attend programming, furthering the philanthropic mission of inspiring passion for math and science in our community. Please read below to honor the incredible contributions each individual has made to the local community, as well as to EUREKA!.
Penny Hopkins Memorial Scholarship
Penny Hopkins was a beloved member of the EUREKA! community whose kindness, warmth, and generosity touched the lives of many. She dedicated her career to elementary education, first as a teacher of math and reading and later as a specialist in gifted and talented education. She had a deep love for learning and inspiring young minds, a passion that naturally aligned with her husband, John’s, longtime leadership of EUREKA!’s Board of Directors.
Kay Fiegel Memorial Scholarship
Kay Fiegel served as a founding member of EUREKA!, accelerating the nonprofit's mission using her expertise in staff management and human resources, not to mention her unlimited optimism and compassion. Kay even served as Interim Executive Director for EUREKA! in 2018. Outside of her work with EUREKA!, she supported science in the wider community through her work at the US Department of Energy and Union Oil.
Allan Conrad Memorial Scholarship
Allan Conrad was a founding member of the EUREKA! Board of Directors. An invaluable member of the EUREKA! community, Allan helped to facilitate EUREKA!’s move from its original location in Orchard Mesa (then known as the Western Slope Math and Science Center) to the current location on Colorado Mesa University’s campus. Allan's expertise in the fields of math and science began with his career at NASA as a jet propulsion technician, which added incredible value to his insight on exhibitry and his position on the Board.
Audrey McConnell Memorial Scholarship
Audrey McConnell played a key role in establishing EUREKA! in its early days. The mission was always to get Science in the Hands of Kids (SITHOK), and Audrey worked alongside her husband John, EUREKA!’s founder, to do just that. Together, Audrey and John hosted field trips and school visits, championing SITHOK at every turn. Through the countless lessons she facilitated in her retirement years, Audrey served thousands of local children, leaving a lasting mark on Mesa County’s educational programs.
Dr. Roger Shenkel Memorial Scholarship
Dr. Shenkel was widely known for his philanthropy and passion for healthcare here in the Grand Valley. His passion for social services led to mission work around the world, implementing medical resources in underserved communities in South America. His medical degree served as a catalyst in providing services for adults and children, and furthered the creation of the Grand Junction Primary Care Partners, creating a sustainable model of care for children and infants. The model he created was nationally recognized, eventually known as the Mesa County Model of Health Care. His legacy lives on through his passion for equitable medical resources, a love for chemistry, and his community.
Peter Robinson Memorial Scholarship
As a veteran of the Vietnam War, Peter's life was heavily influenced by his service. He joined the Veterans for Peace Coalition and volunteered with countless nonprofits on the Western Slope. His passion for nature and biology was evident through his expertise in birding and exotic species. Biology and ecology provided an outlet for Peter, providing peace and a sense of reverence. A key aspect of his philanthropy work was through EUREKA!, lending knowledge, resources, and time to fostering a community of learners who equally shared a passion for biology, education, and the outdoor world.
Mel Bersch Memorial Scholarship
Mel was known for his passion for geological sciences and heavily influenced the world of EUREKA! with his expertise. His career focused on welding with the Grand Junction Steel Company, but his passions expanded into petrified wood, fossils, gems, and precious stones. Mel was an accomplished author, publishing his knowledge in multiple magazines and books, as well as displaying his passion at trade shows. He was a gracious donor to EUREKA!, both with his geological background, and by providing the Alligator Gar fossil proudly displayed in EUREKA!'s museum hall.