Steve Harper Memorial Scholarship
~ Application is attached for printing ~
by Cathy Robert
February 12, 2010
One of the best-known Kansans of recent times, Steve Harper left his mark on Kansas with photographs and words. During his 25-year career, he was a photojournalism instructor at Wichita State University, The Wichita Eagle’s photography editor and eventually the newspaper’s outdoor writer and photographer.
Steve’s trademark works were photographs and articles working together on the natural beauty of Kansas. His series in the Eagle on Kansas day trips led to the publication of his popular book, “83,000 square Miles, No Lines, No Waiting,” His outdoor page was several times voted the best of its kind in the nation.
Sadly, Steve died of cancer on February 6, 2000, at the age of 55 in the same Newton house where he’d grown up and raised three daughters.
This scholarship was started at the suggestion of Governor Bill Graves, among others, as a way to honor Harper’s dedication to Kansans and serving the Kansas outdoors.
As Steve would have wished, it’s presented to Kansas youth pursuing natural resources or photography careers at Kansas colleges, with Kansas-based career goals.
An excellent judge of character, Steve put as much stock in a person’s initiative and accomplishments as well as academic awards. Please click on the link to view the application, which is printable, and the eligibility requirements.
