Casey McKenny Memorial Scholarship

Family and friends of Casey McKenny, an exemplary Western Colorado University student who tragically lost his life in an avalanche on February 6, 1999, have established the Casey James McKenny Memorial Scholarship. Casey’s Memorial Scholarship has been created to provide scholarship assistance to deserving Western Colorado University students in Casey’s memory, so there will always be a Western student pursuing an education in Casey’s name.

Casey died in an avalanche accident in the mountains about which he was passionate. Casey, originally from Marquette, Michigan was a junior at Western Colorado University majoring in Biology. He died with two of his best friends, Andy Work and Matt Noddin, in the Cumberland Pass Region, near Taylor Park Reservoir.

Casey was an outstanding athlete and a perfect gentleman. He died doing what he loved more than anything on earth – skiing. In an essay, which he felt defined him, he wrote “Skiing powder is like floating in a cloud with hundreds of angels hands massaging my body and drawing me down the fall line…I like to ski, I am a skier, nice to meet you.” This side of Casey is only an introduction…he was so much more than just a skier.

Casey was a tutor, a friend, a son, an excellent student, an eagle scout, a volunteer, an artist, a gardener, a cook, a DJ, a restorer of old bicycles, a white-water rafter, a skydiver, a rock and mountain climber and a spelunker. It would be an understatement to say he was well rounded.

The most impressive attribute of Casey’s was his love for people. He befriended many. He spoke to a man in the man’s native Spanish language when no one else had done that in eight years. He found his way into the heart of a high school boy who wrote “Casey McKenny was a person for whom I opened my heart, and there he will stay for the rest of my life.” The city of Mequon, Wisconsin planted their first perennial flowerbed to remember Casey because of his community service. He touched so many people’s lives.

Eligibility
Full-time juniors or seniors (qualified juniors shall be given preference over seniors)
Must be declared major in the Natural and Environmental Sciences Department
Must maintain at least 3.2 GPA