The Mary Louise Foster Scholarship
Mary Louise Foster, a native of Harrisburg, Indiana, studied Home Economics at Purdue. Foster earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1939 and a Master’s degree in 1950. After graduation she taught Home Economics in local public high schools, including the first home economics class for boys at Harrisburg High School.
Foster returned to Purdue in 1955 as a professor in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department, where she served as an instructor of the Home Management House course. Foster helped to develop the first program in Home Economics at the University of Vicosa in Brazil, working there from 1960 until 1965. She officially retired from Purdue in 1987, but continued on as an Academic Advisor in the Department of Consumer Sciences and Retailing.
Mary Louise Foster served a total of almost sixty years at Purdue. She received the Helen B. Schleman Gold Medallion award in 2000 and the Special Boilermaker Award from the Purdue Alumni Association in 2005.
The Mary Louise Foster (MLF) Scholarship is awarded to 3-5 HHS students every year in honor of Foster's impact on the college. Applications are available in the spring semester. Follow us on social media to stay up to date on all information and to be among the first to know when they open!
Past Winners
"My plan is to pursue an NP degree in Women's Health after graduating from Purdue Nursing. I plan to do travel nursing and hopefully be a part of the Peace Corps in order to provide medical care in areas with unaffordable or inaccessible healthcare. Before I retire, I hope to find a way to build and fund a non-profit clinic in an area with a healthcare deficit."
- Bella W.
Sophomore | Nursing | 2025 Recipient
"After college, I hope to become a sports dietitian working with collegiate or professional athletes. I am the president of the club basketball team and love being active!"
- Kayleigh F.
Junior | Dietetics and Nutrition & Fitness and Health | 2025 Recipient
"I plan to attend medical school to become a pediatrician. I enjoy listening to music, hanging out with my best friend, eating good food, and exercising."
- Tamia A.
Senior | Biomedical Health Sciences & Public Health | 2025 Recipient
"After graduation, I hope to pursue a masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT)! I want to become a marriage counselor so I can make a positive difference in the lives of partners and their children. I believe that when parents have a strong, healthy relationship, it improves the outcome and quality of life for their children."
- Maggie M.
Senior | Psychological Sciences & Sociology | 2025 Recipient
"I plan on going to dental school and eventually moving to North Carolina to start a business with my cousin. I love to workout, ski, read, and crochet. I’m the recent founder of the Crochet 4 Kids club and I’m extremely excited to get that started!"
- Isabella L.
Junior | Biomedical Health Sciences | 2025 Recipient
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