Scholarships

This is a national scholarship that covers university tuition and books only. The award can be combined with other scholarships but cannot exceed the cost of attendance established by the Financial Aid Office and may be adjusted each year if scholarships or grants exceed the established cost of attendance. Funds from merit based scholarships cannot be used for room and board expenses.

In December 2015, U of I established a $5,000 room and board scholarship for all U of I NROTC students selected for a national NROTC scholarship or as a College Programmer. The scholarship can be renewed for up to four years per student, as long as the student is a full-time degree seeking undergraduate and living in a U of I residence hall. The award can be combined with other scholarships but cannot exceed the cost of attendance established by the Financial Aid Office and may be adjusted each year if scholarships or grants exceed the established cost of attendance. Funds cannot be used for tuition or book expenses. Work closely with your Financial Aid adviser to fully understand what your scholarship covers and any adjustments that may be made to your scholarships. WSU students are not eligible for this scholarship.

The NROTC class of 1962, established this award in honor of LT Campbell. Every year, the junior class selects a fellow junior that shows superior leadership qualities. In addition, a sword is awarded to a graduating senior who best demonstrates leadership in the Battalion and personifies the leadership traits taught and displayed by LT Campbell.

About CAPT Don Campbell:

While this scholarship, established by the class of 1962, is in remembrance of LT Campbell’s time as a U of I NROTC instructor, he actually attained the rank of Captain. CAPT Campbell was born on Jan. 10 1932, in Spokane, Washington and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1954 with a degree in Naval Science. Upon graduation CAPT Campbell served three-years on the destroyer USS James E. Keyes (DD-787). Following this tour, CAPT Campbell attended the Submarine School and served on a succession of tours on diesel-electric submarines, ultimately commanding the USS Barbel (SS-580).

Following his submarine tours, CAPT Campbell return to the surface navy and was the Executive Officer aboard USS Leahy (DLG-16) and commanded USS Conyngham (DDG-17) and USS Camden (AOE-2). His sea duty tours were interspersed with a variety of shore assignments to include being Assistant Professor of Naval Science at U of I.

Every year, the NROTC staff awards the CDR Roderick Mayer Naval Alumni Scholarship to a student who demonstrates exceptional leadership and superb academic achievements worthy of CDR Mayer.

About CDR Roderick Mayer:

LT CDR Roderick Mayer, USN, graduated from U of I in 1961, with a degree in mathematics. While in the NROTC Unit, CDR Mayer served as Battalion Executive Officer and was captain of the rifle team. After completing flight school, he was assigned and served on the USS Independence as an F-4 Phantom pilot.

CDR Mayer flew a multitude of missions over North Vietnam during his deployment, including 70 combat missions. On Oct. 17, 1965, LCDR Mayer launched for a day strike mission on the Thai Nguyen Bridge. During the mission, he and his Radar Intercept Officer, LTJG David Wheat, were shot down due to anti-aircraft fire about 55 miles from the city of Tai Nguyen. Both LTJG Wheat (ROI) and CDR Mayer ejected from their aircraft, but CDR Mayer unfortunately could not be located during search and rescue efforts. While the Navy was unsure of his status following his ejection, he was classified as a POW. During this time, LCDR Mayer was promoted to the rank of Commander.  CDR Mayer was ultimately classified as KIA, where his EGRESS Report states he “died of severe wounds from ejection.”  Today, his flight jacket hangs proudly in the Mayer-Myers Room of Honor at Hays Hall, headquarters of University of Idaho/Washington State University NROTC.

This scholarship is awarded to a standout future Marine officer from the Unit. Those nominated must show exceptional leadership and academic acumen. Additionally, the nominees should share a love of the outdoors and America’s great natural resources, in keeping with 1^st LT Wetherbee’s legacy.

About 1^st LT Alex Wetherbee (USMC):

United States Marine Corps 1st Lt. Alexander E. Wetherbee was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Program (Marine Option) after he graduated from U of I.

Assigned to the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion at Camp Pendleton, Calif., 1^st LT Wetherbee served in combat during the drive from Kuwait to Baghdad in March and April 2003. He was with his unit on a second deployment in Iraq when he was killed in action Sept. 12, 2004, while serving in Anbar province in Iraq. 1^st LT Wetherbee was a platoon commander leading a unit from the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, near Fallujah.

First LT Wetherbee was an active outdoorsman. He enjoyed rock and ice climbing, kayaking, backpacking and other backcountry activities. When not in military training during summers at college, he worked as an Outward Bound instructor.

It is with great honor we pay tribute to Commander Murphy-Sweet’s memory. The ties to our Unit’s heritage and the great leaders it has produced are remembered proudly each fall as we present the scholarship to a dedicated and deserving student. The scholarship affords the opportunity for a standout midshipman to follow in CDR Murphy-Sweet’s footsteps and pursue their dreams of becoming a true leader in the naval service.

About CDR Philip Murphy-Sweet:

CDR Murphy-Sweet was a 19-year veteran who began his Navy career as a Hospital Corpsman. He earned his commission through the U of I NROTC program and graduated with a degree in communications. CDR Murphy-Sweet served as a Naval Supply Officer.

CDR Murphy-Sweet was a Navy Veteran of the Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was working as a contracting officer supporting front-line coalition troops to ensure they had the supplies they needed to complete their mission. CDR Murphy-Sweet was killed as a result of injuries received by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the Russafa District of Baghdad, Iraq on April 7, 2007. CDR Murphy-Sweet was strong in faith and family leaving behind a wife and three children. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Every year, the NROTC staff awards ENS Craig Gmur Memorial Scholarship to a student and future aviator that demonstrates outstanding balance between academics and military responsibilities.

About ENS Craig Gmur:

United States Navy Ensign Craig Gmur was originally from Seattle, WA, commissioned through the U of I/WSU Naval Reserve Officer Training Program. ENS Gmur graduated from W S U in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science.

This endowment is created to recognize the Wilhite's association with U of I and the impact that higher education, as well as Navy ROTC, has had on their lives. The endowment will provide scholarships to deserving students in the Navy ROTC program at U of I. The scholarship will be available to full-time undergraduate students who are pursuing a degree offered at U of I and are participating in the Navy ROTC program. The recipient must meet minimum cumulative grade point average. Additional criteria include, but are not limited to diversity, financial need and involvement and/or leadership in the Navy ROTC program as well as in other community activities.

Why the Claud and Diana Wilhite Scholarship Endowment was started:

My wife, Diana, and I are blessed to be in a position to assist deserving students of the Navy ROTC at U of I. Because the Navy ROTC played a very important role in our lives, it is very rewarding to be able to help young men and women to succeed in achieving their educational goals as well as insuring that our country will have outstanding naval leaders. As we can attest, education plays a key role in an individual's future and military training provides a solid foundation for the values that makes our country great.

This endowment was created in honor and memory of Larry’s father, Lawrence, and in honor and memory of Larry’s friend and high school classmate, First Lieutenant Kay Kimura, USMC. The scholarship is available to residents of Idaho who are full-time students at U of I, participate in the NROTC program and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additional criteria includes involvement and leadership within the NROTC unit and community.

About Larry and Lisette Baxter:

Larry Baxter graduated from U of I in 1966, with a degree in Political Science and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. After serving 14 months in Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division, Mr. Baxter began helicopter training. He completed 26 months in Vietnam, piloting helicopters with the 1st Air Cavalry and 120th Assault Helicopter Company. He also flew fixed winged aircraft with the 1st Military Intelligence Battalion. In 1972, Mr. Baxter left active duty service and joined the Idaho, then Vermont Army National Guard, where he continued to fly. In civilian life, Mr. Baxter worked as a commercial banker until his retirement.

Lisette Baxter graduated from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, with a degree in Nursing. She was an RN in an intensive care unit before moving to Vermont. In Burlington, Mrs. Baxter worked 35 years as a hospice RN. While nursing, Mrs. Baxter received a Master degree in Divinity from Montreal Diocesan Theological College and was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church. She retired from the church as a rector after 27 years of service.