Verda M. Colaw Memorial Engineering Scholarship Fund

In 1975, Verda M. Colaw graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. This event was monumental in that she was the first woman to graduate from WSU with such a degree. Forced to work full time while raising three children, her degree was earned over the course of 13 years as a part-time student. All the while, Mrs. Colaw remained active in church, taught Sunday school, and never began her homework until after her children had been put to bed. On campus, Mrs. Colaw stayed busy mentoring struggling students and was admitted with the first group of women as a member of Tau Beta Pi. Other organizations she belonged to included the Wichita Section of the Society of Women Engineers and the Board of Wichita Engineering Association.

In honor of her determination and commitment to the field of engineering, Bonnie Johnson of the Society of Women Engineers’ chapter initiated the Verda M. Colaw Memorial Engineering Scholarship. The Colaw family, friends from the Society of Women Engineers and Boeing have all made significant contributions toward the scholarship in an effort to assist those who may follow in the footsteps of Mrs. Colaw.