Eligibility & Purpose

The Oregon Scottish Rite Education Foundation serves to help Oregonians attain their career aspirations and encourages applicants to apply for our scholarship grant program. Applicants must be bona fide residents of the State of Oregon entering and continuing as undergraduates at an accredited college, university, or trade school. Grants are awarded on the evidence submitted. We hope that the applicant will succeed in higher education and excel in his or her subsequent career.

Annual Awards

Enrollment OPEN December 1, 2024

Application CLOSE March 30, 2025

There are four scholarship categories awarded this year.

• 35-40 General $2,000 to $3000 scholarships, with consideration originating from merit, need, and state-wide geographic distribution. Applicants are also automatically considered for the three special awards described below.

• Trade School applicants are also considered for $2000 to $3000 scholarships.

• $10,000 Stan and Jayne Schmidt scholarship for a student persuing a degree in drama or English.

• $10,000 Walt and Shirlee Peters scholarship for a student persuing a degree in the sciences.

• 1 - $30,000 Leigh Robert Bock Scholarships for attending 4 year University. ($15000 per year for 2 years, Must attend an accredited 4-year college or university, must be full-time student, maintain an accumulative 3.0 GPA).

Walt & Shirlee Peters Scholarship

The Walt and Shirlee Scholarships are awarded annually to one outstanding applicant planning a career in natural science, mathematics, or related fields.

Walter LeSieur Peters, 33°, was a member of the Scottish Rite and several other Masonic organizations. Shirlee was also active in several Masonic organizations. Walter and Shirlee made the personal and generous decision to bequeath a large portion of their estate to the Oregon Scottish Rite Education Foundation.

The Stan and Jayne Schmidt Scholarship

The Stan and Jayne Schmidt Scholarships are awarded annually to one exceptional applicant planning a career in education, particularly in English language or theater.

Stan Schmidt, 33°, and his wife Jayne were both Education professionals, starting in Northern Idaho and ultimately moving to Portland. Jayne worked in the Portland Public Schools and Stan worked at Jefferson High School and Portland Community College. He was also an adjunct professor at the University of Portland for many years. Stan has been very active in several Masonic organizations, and is a valued member of the Scottish Rite, where he served the Education Foundation for many years.

The Leigh Robert Bock Scholarship

Leigh Robert Bock, 32° Born April 28, 1929 in Omaha, NE. Passed December 3, 2023. His final resting place is next to his parents in Council Bluffs, IA.
Fiercely private, well read, and a man of few words, Mr. Bock was the last of his line having been preceded in death by his wife, brother, and parents.
Mr. Bock served his country in the Korean War. When he returned to civilian life, he eventually went to work for Ford Motor Company where he resided in Bloomfield, MI. Ford offered him an early retirement package, which he accepted. It was at this point, his dream to live in Oregon came to be. He spent the majority of his retired life in Otter Rock with his cats. He ventured out to Newport once a week for groceries and to visit the library where he would check out as many books as he could. His favorite pastime was reading and his favorite subject was history.

He joined Scottish Rite in 1964 and designated the education fund as a beneficiary in his estate.