The Randy Banks Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in 2012 in loving memory of Randy Banks through the continuing generosity of his mother, Ann E. Weidensaul, the Banks family and Randy’s friends.
Randall (Randy) William Banks was a people person. No one was a stranger; they were a future friend. If they played sports, even better. Randy grew up as the youngest of three in an Air Force family and moved every two or three years until the family settled in Maryland in 1971 when he was 13.
When his father and mother retired to the Midwest in 1977, Randy decided to stay in Maryland, taking a job with the Government Services Administration until his death at the age 28 in 1987.
A lifelong athlete, there wasn’t a sport he didn’t try or love. There also wasn’t a sport he didn’t play well. Sports were his year-round passion, playing on at least three basketball and three softball teams. Randy had another side, too. A giving, community-oriented side that was just as important to him. When not at work or playing ball, he was very active with his local Optimist Club, Special Olympics and other charitable events.
In celebration of his life, a fund was established by his family and friends at the Wichita Community Foundation. The Randy Banks Memorial Scholarship Fund will continue to help student athletes with their education while at the same time allowing them to play the sport they love.
This scholarship seeks applicants who enjoy sports, balanced with a drive to excel in life by applying themselves to accomplish their defined goals.
Two $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually to one male and one female student. Scholarships may be renewed for an additional year, so long as the student maintains satisfactory academic progress. The Wichita Community Foundation is responsible for the investment, administration and governance of the Randy Banks Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The application must be electronically submitted by noon on March 31, 2022. No exceptions.