Since our founding, the Dude Ranch Foundation has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to deserving students who are dedicated to preserving and advancing the dude ranching industry and Western culture.

We’re proud to share that $32,000 in scholarships have been awarded for the upcoming academic year—made possible by the generous support of people like you.

Meet this year’s incredible scholarship recipients:

Laci Christensen
Hastings College, NE
Raised at Colorado’s 4UR Ranch; a freshman exploring hospitality, business, or sports medicine while planning to remain connected to the dude ranch industry long term.

Ruth Ann Cypert
Samford University, AL
Returning recipient; a sophomore architecture student inspired by her experience at Tumbling River Ranch, interested in ranch-focused design.

Savannah Finnegan
University of New Hampshire
Aspiring equine veterinarian with a 4.7 high-school GPA, whose visit to Hunewill Ranch sparked an appreciation for dude ranching and equine care.

Skye Forgan
Colorado Mesa University
Returning recipient with lifelong ties to Rainbow Trout Ranch; graduating in Spring 2027 with a degree in Counseling Psychology with a continuing commitment to dude ranching.

Isaac Heilman
Des Moines University
Magna Cum Laude graduate in Biomedical Science from Arizona State; Postgraduate medical student and Lost Creek Ranch staff member pursuing a career in wilderness and rural medicine.

Devyn Jones
University of Findlay, OH
Returning recipient; a sophomore studying Equine Sciences with a focus on Western training and business management, plans to work in the dude ranch industry.

Aubrey Matthew
Abilene Christian University
Returning recipient with lifelong ties to Rich’s Montana Guest Ranch; a sophomore pursuing a career in speech pathology while remaining committed to her ranching legacy.

Lena McIntyre
University of the Cumberlands, KY
Raised at Colorado’s Wind River Christian Guest Ranch; a freshman pursuing dental hygiene with a minor in hospitality, while planning to remain connected to the dude ranch industry long term.

Josie Meyring
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Returning recipient; junior-year collegiate rodeo leader, and fifth-generation Colorado cattle rancher studying Agricultural Communications and Psychology.

Taylor Peck
University of Montana Western
Returning recipient; a junior majoring in Natural Horsemanship with a long-term connection to Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, building a reputation and business centered on quality horse training.

Elizabeth Schoeneberg
Iowa State University
Agricultural policy freshman with a background in agritourism and a passion for supporting rural communities through education and advocacy.

Victoria Sefrino
Centenary University, NJ
Equine Science freshman pursuing a career in equine-assisted therapy, eager to expand her experience within the dude ranch industry.

Betti Travers
University of Idaho
Returning recipient; a Dean’s List sophomore pursuing elementary education while sharing her passion for horsemanship and youth development.