John B. Wooley and Colleen Lee Wooley Distinguished Scholarship
The John B. Wooley and Colleen Lee Wooley Distinguished Scholarship at Washburn University School of Law was created in 2020 with the generous contribution of Washburn Law alumnus John Wooley, '56.
Scholarship
Admitted students who qualify will be invited to apply for the Wooley Distinguished Scholarship.
Washburn Law will select one student from the entering fall class. Selection is based on academic achievements.
- Full resident tuition for three years of law school;
- Book stipend;
- Partial living stipend.
Selection Criteria
Applicants to Washburn University School of Law for each fall semester whose credentials qualify for the top 10% of the applicant pool are invited to apply for the Wooley Distinguished Scholarship.
The applicant must submit a statement showing:
- the reason for interest in the law as a profession;
- public and community service activities; and
- leadership activities and potential for leadership.
The School of Law's Financial Aid Committee reviews the applications and selects finalists. The selection of the Wooley Scholar is made by the Financial Aid Committee after interviewing the finalists. The selection is made prior to the admission seat deposit deadline.
Eligibility requirements to maintain the award after the first year are
- maintain a 2.8 grade-point average,
- no sanctions under the School of Law Honor Code, and
- enrolled full-time at the School of Law.
The deadline to apply to Washburn Law for Wooley Distinguished Scholarship consideration is February 1 for students starting in the fall.
John B. Wooley had a distinguished career in the legal field and in the U.S. Military. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 18th birthday in 1945, served in World War II, and was honorably discharged on his 21st birthday. He attended ROTC and received a second lieutenant's commission while pursuing an undergraduate degree at Wichita University. He then attended Washburn University School of Law while serving the U.S. Army Reserve, 89th Division, in Wichita.
Upon graduation from Washburn Law in 1956, Mr. Wooley began practicing law with the firm McClellan, Michaud & Robbins, until December 1958. He prosecuted criminal cases in the Sedgwick County Attorney's Office from December 1958 to November 1961, then went into private practice with Meador and Koerner from November 1961 until July 1963, and Martin, Wooley & Churchill from July 1963 to June 1969. He was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge in June 1969 and served until retirement in October 1993.
Judge Wooley retired as a full Colonel in 1986, having spent the last 20 years of his reserve career as the Staff Judge Advocate on the Special Staff of the several Commanding Generals of the division.