Scholarships

EDI SCHOLARSHIPS CRITERIA

Scholarship submission deadline for the Spring 2025 EDI event: February 3, 2025.

Rocky Wade Scholarship

To recognize the impact that Rocky Wade, EDI's beloved Credit Analysis Instructor, has made on economic development professionals in the United States, the University of Oklahoma has established the Rocky Wade Scholarship.

Criteria include:

Complete the OU EDI Scholarship Form
Graduation from an accredited Economic Development Course (formerly Basic)
Leadership shown while in attendance
A letter of recommendation from your Basic Course Director, supervisor, or other professional within your community

The award is for OU EDI registration fee and course materials.

Derieth Sutton Legacy Scholarship for Economic Development

Named for Derieth Sutton, an accomplished economic developer and instructor at EDI. Derieth has been successful in public, non-profit, and private sector economic development work. She is a certified economic developer and a certified economic development finance professional.

Criteria include:

Complete the OU EDI Scholarship Form
Successful prior completion of an EDI in-person Institute

The award is for OU EDI registration fee and course materials.

Michael P Hickey Foundation Scholarship

Named for Michael P Hickey, founder of Hickey and Associates, specializing in Site Selection and Economic Development Initiatives.

Michael handled every business project and relationship with an ethical and honest approach unmatched by a few. As the company developed into a global leader in business growth and expansion, Michael's strong principles were the core reason for his success. Without question, his legacy endures through the company he established.

Michael passed away in 2009 and is survived by his wife Doris and sons Jason Michael and David Patrick, who now manage the day-to-day operations of Hickey and Associates.

Criteria include:

Complete the OU EDI Scholarship Form
Successful prior completion of an EDI in-person Institute
Letter of recommendation from the head of the economic development entity (if the head person, then a letter from your supervisor or chair)
Preference is given to underrepresented student populations

The award is for OU EDI registration fee and course materials.

Ed McCallum Site Selection Consultant Scholarship

Named for the late Ed McCallum, a highly regarded Site Selection consultant with over 20 years of experience as a founding partner in the former McCallum Sweeney Consulting firm. Ed was passionate about helping young professionals who may want to consider the site selection profession, and this scholarship aims to carry on his legacy.

Criteria include:

Complete the OU EDI Scholarship Form
Enroll as a third-year participant at EDI
You must plan to be either in the site selection profession or the economic development profession.
And document collaboration with or letter of recommendation from a site selection professional.

This is a $600 award per Institute.

OU EDI Scholarship Form (pdf)

Submit your completed form via email: edi@ou.edu.