WSU’s CAHNRS Announces Scholarship for Students of Grant, Lincoln Counties

PULLMAN, Wash. — The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences at Washington State University has announced the establishment of the Heathman Brothers’ Endowed Scholarship, created in memory of Richard W. “Dick” Heathman and his four sons — Carl, Lloyd, Earl and Elvin, all Hartline natives. The first of many $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in fall 2005.

John and Jan Heathman of Hartline and Barbara Heathman Quann and her husband, Jim, of Spokane, created and funded the scholarship – John is the son of Earl Heathman, and Barbara is the daughter of Lloyd Heathman.

“The Heathman brothers and their father would be pleased to see this scholarship created in their honor at Washington State University,” said Quann. “The Heathman family is an important part of the early history and success of agriculture in Grant County, and through this scholarship, we hope to help future generations pursue their educational and career goals in agriculture.”

At age 20, Dick Heathman settled near Hartline in the Washington Territory, and in 1890, he homesteaded on land that became the Heathman farm, located four miles north and two miles west of Hartline. Active in community affairs and agriculture, he became one of the first county commissioners of newly formed Grant County.

Dick’s sons, Lloyd and Elvin, enrolled at Washington State College (now WSU). Carl also attended WSC but transferred to the University of Washington. Earl graduated from Eastern Washington Normal School in Cheney and taught school several years before becoming a full-time wheat and cattle rancher. Elvin earned a degree in mechanical engineering at WSC in 1929 and put his engineering expertise to work in Florida while allowing his three brothers to farm his land in Washington.

Students entering any field of study within CAHNRS at WSU are eligible to apply. First preference will go to qualified candidates who have graduated from Almira, Coulee City or Hartline high schools, with a second preference to those students from Grant or Lincoln counties. Financial need will also be considered.

For more information or to apply for this scholarship, contact Britta Nitcy, WSU CAHNRS alumni and development office, at (509) 335-6479 or by e-mail at nitcy@wsu.edu.