Norma Horner & John Estes Opportunity Scholarship at MSU Denver

Purpose:
The Fund is established to provide scholarships to students attending the University. More specifically, the Donor intends for scholarships to be provided to students who are of immigrant and/or refugee status, or whose residency status may be less than a United States citizen, and other low-income students with financial need. The Donor prefers that their scholarship be used to close any remaining gap once all other sources of financial aid have been applied.

Norma Horner Biographical Information
Growing up in a small Oklahoma town with a population of just 2,000, Norma became the first in her family to earn a college degree. Education wasn’t just a personal milestone—it became a way for her to uplift her family and open doors she never imagined possible.
Her passion for people and cultures took root in her very first job after college, working in Germany. Immersed in new traditions and perspectives, she discovered a deep love for understanding and connecting with others. That passion grew even stronger in Virginia, where she pursued her master’s degree while creating programs to support abused children and promote environmental awareness. These early experiences instilled in her a lifelong belief in the power of giving back.
Norma’s career in Seattle’s commercial real estate industry was nothing short of groundbreaking. She shattered glass ceilings, becoming the first female partner and board member at her firm—at a time when few women held leadership roles in the field. Later, she took an even bolder step by founding her own development company, proving that determination and vision can pave the way for future generations.
But for Norma, success has never been about titles or accolades. What drives her most is the impact she can make in the lives of others. Whether mentoring young women, supporting refugees, or fostering global connections, she believes true leadership is about creating opportunities for those who follow.
To future scholarship recipients, Norma’s story is a reminder that no dream is too big, no background too small. With education, perseverance, and a heart for others, anything is possible.
John Estes Biographical Information
Like Norma, John was the first in his family to graduate from college. His mother made it simple – he had no choice. After earning his degree, John began his career at a public accounting firm with the goal of passing the CPA exam and eventually owning his own firm. However, the conflict in Vietnam introduced the real possibility of being drafted. To take control of his own path, he enlisted in the Army under an agreement that would allow him to become an officer. The plan worked, and the leadership experience he gained shaped his career in profound ways.

John’s final year in the Army (1968) was spent serving in various combat roles, beginning as a Tank Platoon Leader and culminating as a Company Commander. His near-daily interactions with the Vietnamese people were a constant reminder of their struggles – many lived in a precarious balance, supporting U.S. forces by day and navigating pressures from the North Vietnamese Army by night.

Upon returning home, John resumed his accounting career but quickly realized he was three years behind his college classmates in professional experience. Fortunately, his Army leadership background game him an edge, and within a year, he was leading audit teams.

A few years later, John was hired by a client, Landmark Communications, Inc., to serve as Controller for The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star – the largest daily newspapers in Virginia. It was the best job of his life. Several years later, he was promoted to Vice President of Finance for the parent company, Landmark Communications (LCI).

More recently, John has dedicated his time to helping his wife and a group of friends assist immigrants as they navigate the challenges of integrating into American society. Witnessing their perseverance and determination has been both humbling and inspiring.

Criteria:
The scholarship recipient shall:
• Have a current and completed general scholarship application on file with the University.
• Be meeting the University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and not be in default or owe any refund/repayment of federal, state or institutional aid.
• Be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours during the semester the scholarship is received.
• Have financial need as determined by FAFSA/CAFSA and the University’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Certificate seeking students may qualify for this scholarship award.

Preferences:
• There is a preference to award students who are of immigrant and/or refugee status, or have residency status that is less than a United States citizen.
• There is a preference for this scholarship to be a “last dollar in” award, such that all other possible sources of financial aid are applied to the student account first.
• There is a preference for the scholarship award amount to not exceed $5,000.00 per academic year.