Dr. Charles Vitaska Endowed Scholarship

Purpose:
The Fund exists to provide scholarships to students who have a declared major in Marketing and is established to honor the memory of Charles Vitaska, a beloved Professor Emeritus of Marketing. The scholarship celebrates his lasting impact on generations of students. The fund will continue his legacy by supporting students who share his passion for marketing and dedication to learning.

Dr. Charles Vitaska (1939-2021) was a first-generation college student and Marketing Professor at MSU Denver from 1978-2003. During his tenure, Dr. Vitaska served in several leadership positions, including Chair of the Department of Marketing and Interim Dean of the School of Business. Dr. Vitaska and his wife, also an educator, transformed their lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren through the power of education. With support from a generous scholarship, Dr. Vitaska attended college and dedicated his career to teaching, inspiring and serving others. He held a special place in his heart for students who, like himself, overcame numerous obstacles in the pursuit of lifelong learning. Upon retirement, he continued to support the MSU Denver community by funding scholarships for first-generation college students. Dr. Vitaska was a scholar, philanthropist, avid traveler, and utterly devoted to his family. His daughter and grandchildren are honored to continue his legacy of kindness, generosity and transforming lives through education by creating an endowed scholarship in his name.

Criteria:
The scholarship recipient shall:
• Be meeting the University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and cannot be in default or owe any refund/repayment of federal, state or institutional aid.
• Have financial need as determined by FAFSA/CASFA and the University’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
• Have a declared major in Marketing.
• Be an undergraduate student.
• Be enrolled in at least six credit hours.
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
• Be a first-generation student.
• Write an essay (500 words or less) that outlines how they have contributed or given back to their community.

This scholarship is available to DACA/ASSET, and undocumented students.

This scholarship is renewable, all the way to graduation, for those recipients who continue to meet the award criteria in subsequent academic years.