Barry W. and Karen Lowe unveiled Young Scholars of Bartlesville (then known as Lowe Family Young Scholars Program) on February 23, 2006, by announcing that they had partnered with Oklahoma State University and were endowing $1 million to provide scholarship opportunities for children in low-income Bartlesville schools.
The mission of the Young Scholars of Bartlesville is "Mentoring and empowering students to earn a college degree."
Below are the 8 core values of Young Scholars of Bartlesville.
The Young Scholars of Bartlesville is a Standards of Excellence Organization.
Oklahoma State University was our first partner when the program began in 2006, and continues to support the efforts of Young Scholars of Bartlesville. In late 2006, Oklahoma Wesleyan University joined as our second partner University. Rogers State University joined the team in early 2008, so students could attend classes in either Claremore or Bartlesville. In 2022, Young Scholars of Bartlesville became the steward of the College High Wildcats Scholarship, Denny Zoot Memorial Scholarship, and the Sears Family Fund which opens up more college opportunties to Young Scholars of Bartlesville students.
Young Scholars of Bartlesville began at Jane Phillips Elementary. We expanded to Richard Kane and Oak Park Elementaries in 2010, and further expanded to all Bartlesville Public Schools in August of 2011.
This program was created to honor Barry's parents, the late Wilbur D. and Grace Laverne Snyder Lowe, who encouraged Barry to better his life through education. This program was developed to honor their advice and impact children who most need our help in obtaining a college degree - those whose parents could use some assistance with college funding.
We believe that are tagline, "Lowe Family Inspired, Community Supported" continues to honor their advice and Barry and Karen's vision.
Students and their parents are matched with a volunteer mentor. This mentor will continue to work with the student and parent(s) through his or her senior year by having age-appropriate discussions regarding educational success, future opportunities, goal setting and career planning. The mentors will meet with students a few times per month, several hours per week and their parents once per quarter.
Students who complete the program and successfully apply to either Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, or Rogers State University (college selection may be determined by funds available at each university) will earn a scholarship up to $4,000/year in the academic field of their choice. Scholarship recipients will provide additional guidance for students entering the program.