Louise and Ernani D'Emidio Scholarship established
The Morehead State University Foundation announced the establishment of the Louise Antonini and Ernani D'Emidio Scholarship Endowment, a fund to benefit MSU students. The scholarship's first recipient is Anabel Peterman, a senior traditional music major from Carlisle and a graduate of the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics.
Louise Pauline Antonini D'Emidio graduated from the then-named Morehead State Teachers College in 1943 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education with vocal and instrumental music majors. She made the All-State Kentucky Collegiate Chorus and the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities list as a student. She was also a Kappa Delta Phi (Epsilon Theta Chapter) Sorority member. She later spent 30 years as a vocal and instrumental teacher in New Jersey. She also founded a youth choir and shared her soprano voice, along with her abilities on piano and violin, with generations as a mentor and a performer.
Her husband Ernani John D'Emidio graduated from De Witt Clinton High School in the Bronx, New York, and later the New York School of Fine Arts and the Leonardo DaVinci Art School. During World War II, he served five years as a combat photographer in the South Pacific Area. He photographed Hollywood stars like Gary Cooper, Jack Benny, Carole Landis, and Una Merkle. He later had a distinguished photography career working in advertising for 46 years.
Russ D'Emidio, Louise and Ernani's son, created the scholarship in their honor. He established the scholarship to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Louise's graduation from MSU.
"My mother was only able to attend college because of a scholarship, and I hope this scholarship enhances someone's life just like the scholarship did for my mom 80 years ago," Russ said. "Education and helping others were so important to my mom. I am honored to be able to give back to her alma mater in her memory."
Scholarship recipients must be full-time juniors or senior students pursuing a Bachelor of Music, a Bachelor of Arts in Music, or a Bachelor of Music Education. Recipients must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship is a one-time, non-renewable reward and recipients are eligible to reapply.
At Morehead State University, 95% of students receive some form of financial aid. The MSU Foundation is instrumental in assisting with scholarship support. The Foundation's endowment, valued at over $70 million, manages nearly 600 funds to support MSU students.
If you want to establish a scholarship or make a planned gift commitment, contact MSU's Office of Alumni Relations and Development at 606-783-2033, email giving@moreheadstate.edu or visit alumni.moreheadstate.edu.
Photo: Anabel Peterman, a senior traditional music major from Carlisle, is the first recipient of the Louise Antonini and Ernani D'Emidio Scholarship Endowment.
