Scholarship Application

The Central Oklahoma chapter of AHSGR is pleased to offer two Glow Austin and Bruce Harms Scholarships for the 2024/25 academic year to descendants of Germans from Russia who are graduating from high school and entering their first year of post high school study. The scholarship is for $1,000 for one year. Separate checks are sent for $500 for first and second semesters. The awards may be used for any post High School tuition, such as college, university, vocational school, trade school and so on. The applications are due July 1st each year, using the current year’s application form which can be found on our AHSGR Chapter Link and on our Facebook page.

Applicants are judged primarily on 1) on their personal statement reflecting how their German from Russia heritage, its culture, faith, ethics and values have affected the applicant’s life and 2) having TWO(2) recommendation letters from adults, such as teachers, guidance counselors, and pastors that know the applicant well. We benefit from the values passed down by our parents, grandparents and great grandparents. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure that the recommendation letters are received by the Central Oklahoma chapter of AHSGR by the due date. Applicants who do not have 2 recommendations received by the due date may or may not be considered. Other considerations are the applicants’ extracurricular activities during the school year and outside of the school year. Additionally, financial need is considered and weighed. The primary consideration, however, is based on “How having German from Russia ancestors has affected the applicant’s life and culture.” These activities, needs, affects and culture are to be written in a personal statement attached to the application. The German from Russia ancestor(s) need to be listed. Their village names (in Russia), if known, should be provided also. Previous Glow Austin and Bruce Harms scholarship recipients are not eligible. This tuition assistance is not based on scholastic achievement, as there are many, many scholarships that encourage that area of life. This assistance rewards people displaying the values of our ancestors such as stewardship of the land, helping others and making our communities stronger. Thus, the TWO recommendation letters, and information about activities in school and outside of school are very important.

The scholarship awards are named in honor of Glow Austin and Bruce Harms: Glow Austin and Bruce Harms were among those instrumental in forming the Central Oklahoma Chapter AHSGR. Glow Austin was a charter member of the chapter and worked tirelessly for the chapter. She was the third President of the chapter. She battled cancer for over a year before it took its toll in May 1990. Bruce Harms was a young man that was an active hard-working charter member of our chapter and was the second President of the chapter. He died young in a car accident in August 1990. The awards memorialize two outstanding hard-working representative members of our chapter.

Priority in awarding the scholarship will be given to descendants of Germans from Russia who have a connection to Oklahoma and to the Central Oklahoma Chapter of AHSGR.

The recipient will be selected by the Scholarship Committee of the Central Oklahoma Chapter and must be a full time student (minimum of 9 hours) in any post high school program including vocational training.