Stanley and Terry Freerks Scholarship

Stan and Terry Freerks feel that UMSL is a quality and vital institution: their desire is to provide opportunities for others to enjoy what UMSL has to offer. Terry believes that education is foundational to a productive and enjoyable life, and she and Stan both believe that athletic involvement complements those pursuits.

Terry received her BA in History and her MA in Education from UM-St. Louis. It was in the UMSL environment that she realized her love of academics and her desire to continue her studies. Terry received her PhD. in Counseling from St. Louis University. Terry attributes the academic preparation and professorial guidance from the UMSL faculty for her decision to seek her Doctorate. While at UMSL, Terry profited from the tutelage and mentoring of then History Professor Blanche Touhill, who became Chancellor of UMSL, where Terry experienced Dr. Touhill dedicating herself to the development and well-being of the UMSL students and university. Terry wanted to follow that example by giving back to the school that was so vital to her success as a professional and as a person. Terry has her own private practice in counseling and is the Executive Director of the Clayton Shaw Park Swim Team.

Stan received his MBA from UMSL after having completed his undergraduate degree in History from Cornell University. Stan founded his own wholesale insurance brokerage firm in St. Louis in 1979 and continues the practice today. Stan feels that his business studies at UMSL prepared him for the demands of his position as CEO and CFO of his business and contributed to his ability to successfully grow his business.

Scholarship Criteria

1. Candidates will be pursuing a degree in History at the undergraduate or graduate level.
2. If the recipient is an incoming freshman, she or he must have earned a cumulative high school GPA of 3.2 or higher. If the recipient is already an undergraduate or graduate student, she or he must have earned a cumulative UMSL GPA of 3.0 or higher.
3. Recipients must enroll full-time at UMSL each semester (12 hours per semester for undergraduate students and 9 hours per semester for graduate students).
4. Preference will be given to student’s involved in athletics or with demonstrated involvement in the community.