Thomas Dugan Raffen Memorial Scholarship

Applications open November 1, 2024 and close February 28, 2025.

Award Amount: $15,000

Remembering Tommy Raffen through an annual scholarship to a student who shares his leadership characteristics, optimism, integrity, and pride in Texas State.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Student must be a member in good standing with the Phi Delta Theta Texas Mu Chapter at Texas State.

  • Student must be classified as a junior or senior at Texas State.

  • Student must have 54 completed hours if classified as a sophomore.

  • Sophomore or junior classification will be enrolled 12 hours or more at the time of selection. Senior classification may be enrolled 12 hours or less at the time of selection.

  • Student must have an overall Texas State GPA of at least 2.50.

  • Student must have demonstrated leadership qualities.

  • Student must have invested time and service to Texas State and the Texas Mu chapter.

  • Students that have previously won the Raffen Scholarship are not eligible.

  • The recipient(s) will be in good standing with the University at the time of selection.

  • Graduating seniors are eligible to receive this Scholarship. 

APPLICATION INFORMATION

1. Essay

Student must write and include a personal essay:

  • Must be doubled spaced and typed in a 12 point font.

  • Must be at least one full page, but can not exceed 3 full pages.

  • Your essay must address each of the following topics:

    • How has your past and present campus activities contributed to Texas State and Phi Delta Theta?

    • What are your plans for future service to Texas State and Phi Delta Theta as a student?

    • Tell us about any work, internships, etc., outside the university you are involved in and why.

    • Do you plan to give back to Texas State and Phi Delta Theta as an alumnus? If so, how?

2. Current resume

3. Current unofficial transcript

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please fill out the form below to apply. Before submitting your scholarship, please read our terms for applying. You'll verify you have done so at the end of this form.

Attach resume, transcript, and essay using the buttons below. Please name the documents “firstlastname_resume”, “firstlastname_transcript”, and “firstlastname_essay”.

These should be less than 5MB each, and one of the following file types: .txt, .pdf, .docx, .odf, .rtf.

Feel free to email us with any questions.

The Scholarship shall be presented annually at the Stelos Alliance Scholarship Awards Banquet. The time and place are to be determined by Stelos Alliance but will be in San Marcos, TX.

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HISTORY OF SCHOLARSHIP

In 2008, Bobby Poston, in conjunction with the non-profit organization Stelos Alliance, pledged to create and support a scholarship in the name of Thomas Dugan Raffen. Tommy was an exceptional student, leader and friend to many across campus. He served as President of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, and was a member of Student Foundation and Order of Omega. Tommy maintained this level of campus leadership while working to pay his way through school.

His work ethic, integrity and dedication to the University and its values serve as his positive legacy. Tommy was tragically killed in a car accident in May of 1991.

To honor his memory this scholarship is presented annually to an outstanding member of the Texas Mu chapter of Phi Delta Theta who exhibits the leadership characteristics, optimistic enthusiasm, integrity, and pride in the University that exemplified Tommy’s college life.