PORTSMOUTH — George Allen Essman, Sr. has established a scholarship at Shawnee State University in memory of his wife, the Donna Charlene Essman Memorial Scholarship.

Donna was a 1964 graduate of Portsmouth West High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Ohio University.

She was enrolled in classes at Shawnee State University during her adult life and cared very much for education.

She was a teacher at New Boston Schools for 16 years and at Portsmouth City Schools for four years. She also taught pre-school, Sunday School, and provided teacher in-services throughout Scioto County.

The $1,100 scholarship will be awarded in the 2010-2011 academic year to an adult learner or other non-traditional student returning to school to pursue an undergraduate degree who has not otherwise pursued college previously or had their college studies interrupted earlier in life.

Eligible applicants should contact the Shawnee State University Office of Financial Aid for consideration.

For more information on how to support scholarships and other initiatives at Shawnee State University, contact the SSU Development Foundation at (740) 351-3284 or giveto.shawnee.edu.