Henderson Scholarship Endowment Reaches Milestone in Support of Students in Engineering and English

Originally awarded on an alternating basis, this meaningful scholarship will now support two students every year, one in English and one in engineering, thanks to the Henderson family’s lasting commitment to education and student success.

“This achievement represents the enduring impact of John and Marilyn Henderson’s generosity,” said Blair Devenberg, director of development for the College of Science and Engineering at ISU. “Because of their belief in the generational impact of higher education, and their commitment to ISU, more students will receive support, encouragement, and the resources they need to succeed.”

The scholarship honors the legacy of the late John D. Henderson, a proud ISU and University of Idaho alumnus, U.S. Army officer, and longtime civil engineer with the U.S. Forest Service, and Marilyn Berrett Henderson, a dedicated educator, artist, and advocate for the arts who taught English and art in Idaho and California and led local arts initiatives in Salmon. Together, the Henderson’s have inspired generations of students and family members, many of whom followed John into engineering and Marilyn into education and the arts. 

The John D. and Marilyn B. Henderson Scholarship will provide annual awards of approximately $2,600 each to juniors or seniors majoring in English or engineering. Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrate strong citizenship within their communities, and reside in Idaho. Scholarship recipients will be selected in partnership with the Office of Scholarships and faculty from each department.

“We are deeply grateful to the Henderson family for their continued dedication to Idaho State and our students,” said Dean Kandi Turley-Ames, College of Arts and Letters, and Interim Dean Lyle Castle, College of Science and Engineering, in a joint statement. “Their generosity reflects the spirit of ISU, where creativity, service, and innovation come together to change lives.”