CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. (Oct. 29, 2024) – In support and encouragement of young women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), the Sister Mary Ethel Parrott ’69 Endowed Scholarship is established at Thomas More University. The scholarship honors the outstanding legacy of Sister Mary Ethel Parrott ’69, SND, and her dedicated service to her alma maters, Thomas More University and Notre Dame Academy (NDA).

A Covington, Kentucky native, Sister Mary Ethel studied at NDA and enrolled at Thomas More after graduation. She earned her bachelor’s degree in physics from Thomas More in 1969 and went on to receive a Master of Science in physics from the University of Kentucky. She returned to NDA as a faculty member in 1972, and as an educator in the scientific fields touched the lives of thousands of students, inspiring many young women to discover a passion for the sciences and to pursue higher education.

The Sister Mary Ethel Parrott ’69 Endowed Scholarship is established by Jeanne-Marie Tapke ’91, Ph.D., and her husband Richard (Dick) Tapke to provide financial aid in support of NDA graduates who attend Thomas More in pursuit of a degree within the STEM fields. Jeanne-Marie Tapke is a Thomas More alumna and has served on the boards of both Thomas More and NDA.

“This scholarship uplifts and grows women in science, which is exciting, and a privilege. Blending the great graduates of Notre Dame Academy with the academic excellence Thomas More is known for makes this an extremely meaningful opportunity,” says Jeanne-Marie Tapke, Ph.D.

The Sister Mary Ethel Parrott ’69 Endowed Scholarship remains open for funding by additional donors who wish to honor Sister Mary Ethel. Anyone interested making a gift may contact Thomas More’s Office of Institutional Advancement at [email protected].

The first Sister Mary Ethel Parrott ’69 Scholarship is to be awarded in fall 2025. To qualify, students must have a high school GPA of a 3.0 or higher and maintain a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 to retain the scholarship as they pursue an undergraduate degree in a STEM field. More information will be provided to the NDA community regarding the application process in the coming weeks.

This announcement follows Thomas More and NDA’s historic partnership to offer direct admission to the University for all NDA graduates, beginning with the Class of 2025.

“We are grateful to be able to further strengthen our relationship with Notre Dame Academy as we honor the legacy and influence of our shared alumna, Sister Mary Ethel. The Tapkes’ generosity will have a lasting impact on our community by empowering young women to pursue STEM careers, and increasing access to a high-quality, Catholic higher education,” says Thomas More University President Joseph L. Chillo, LP.D.

About Thomas More University

Founded in 1921, Thomas More University stands as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation, challenging students to Make It More. Deeply rooted in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, this timeless foundation supports a transformative educational experience as students looking to Be More are guided in the pursuit of knowledge, ethical leadership, and the integration of faith and reason. Through the high-quality, liberal arts education provided at Thomas More, students examine the ultimate meaning of life, their place in the world, and their responsibility to others which leads to the ability to think critically and contribute meaningfully to the world. Serving more than 2,300 students, Thomas More takes its place as the premier Catholic university in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region, being named one of the 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal. For more, visit thomasmore.edu.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Kristen Gallagher, director of communications & PR, [email protected], 859-344-3309