9.21.20
Jason Cotter honors his late wife with a new scholarship for Wichita State students
Mendi and Jason Cotter with their children, Austin and Brianna.
Newlyweds Jason and Mendi Cotter had a plan to attend classes on the Wichita State University campus together – he while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, she a master’s in communication. They were able to do that for one semester before Mendi died in a car accident while driving in fog in western Sedgwick County on Sept. 23, 2019.
But from tragedy comes triumph – in this case, in the form of an endowed scholarship/fellowship Jason created in Mendi’s memory to commemorate the one-year anniversary of her death. Mendi worked full-time as communications director at the St. Paul University Parish so that Jason could pursue his dream of becoming a teacher. At the time of her death, Mendi’s co-worker Tony Cruzeiro told the Sunflower newspaper, “She brought light into the room.”
The scholarship will be available to undergraduate or graduate students of any major who have completed at least a year of college. Jason stipulates that students demonstrate volunteerism, as that, along with her Catholic faith, were cornerstones in Mendi’s life. She was a “big” at Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Sedgwick County.
Lisa Parcell, associate professor and director of graduate studies in the Elliott School of Communication, wasn’t surprised to hear that volunteerism would be a part of the scholarship created to honor Mendi’s legacy. “Mendi would have loved that. She believed in helping people,” Parcell said.
If you would like to learn more about creating a scholarship to honor a loved one and help WSU students achieve their educational dreams, contact Darin Kater, WSU Foundation Vice President at 316-978-3887 or darin.kater@wichita.edu.
Share