2024 Founders Memorial Scholarship Recipients

The Founders Memorial Scholarships are awarded to four outstanding junior applicants every year. These scholarships are Theta Foundation’s most prestigious awards, valued at $12,000 each. The recipients are purposefully matched to a specific founder based on their shared qualities. Notice how each recipient embodies and innovates on the legacy of our founding members – leadership, learning, motivation, and execution.

Sydney Burger, Eta Kappa/John Carroll
Bettie Locke Hamilton – The Leader
Sydney is committed to making the world a better place. As part of the Labre Project, she spends each Friday night venturing into the streets of Cleveland to provide hot meals and clothing to those experiencing homelessness, while facilitating reflection on social inequality and ways to support the unhoused. Her dedication to community service and social action earned her the John Carroll University George B. Sweeney Endowed Campion Award for Service. Sydney currently serves as president of her chapter and previously served as vice president membership (VPM), recruiting the largest new member class since prior to the pandemic. Her major is integrated marketing communications and political science.

MK Cline, Beta/Indiana
Alice Allen Brant – The Learner
As an aspiring physician majoring in neuroscience, MK has sought out experiences that will support her future career, including working and volunteering at hospitals. Her most treasured experience thus far has been as a No One Dies Alone (NODA) volunteer. When patients are in their final hours of life, she sits with them, listening to their immeasurable wisdom or, sometimes, simply holding their hands. Outside of academics, she is highly involved in both her chapter and the Panhellenic community. MK currently serves as a Mental Health Ally and Safe Sister, allowing her to advocate for and support women through mental health and/or sexual violence crises.

Bella Eaton, Zeta Omega/Loyola Marymount
Hannah Fitch Shaw – The Motivator
When she found Kappa Alpha Theta, Bella found a home away from home. As a new member, she was inspired by the older chapter members who embodied Theta’s values and led her chapter of strong-minded women. Through leadership opportunities such as event director, vice president education, and service on the member development committee, Bella has helped maximize the potential of every member, just like the Thetas who brough out the best in her. As a result of the strong relationships she has fostered within her Theta family, she is committed to creating opportunities for members from different pledge classes to connect and form lifelong bonds. Bella is majoring in marketing, advertising, and art direction.

Claire Shelton, Beta Theta /Idaho
Bettie Tipton Lindsey – The Doer
Claire’s cup overflows when she is serving others. She has been involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for 14 years, and most recently served on the Advocates in Action Council and spoke to legislators in Idaho about the Affordable Insulin Act. Since being diagnosed with diabetes herself, she has raised over $40,000 toward better treatment and, eventually, a cure. Claire currently serves her chapter as vice president administration and her campus as Panhellenic executive vice president, overseeing all judicial proceedings and executing educational programming for the community. Claire is majoring in medical science and animal science: pre-vet.