The Shane Epperson Endowed Memorial Scholarship: Honoring a hero’s dream and inspiring future dentists
The was created in 2012 in honor of Petty Officer 2nd Class Shane A. Epperson, who served in the U.S. Navy, to provide scholarship assistance to dental students who are current or former enlisted members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Epperson, a young man who grew up in Ingleside, Texas, enlisted in the Navy in 2005. While he excelled in the Navy, earning the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, his greatest aspiration was to attend the School of Dentistry at 91PORN to pursue a career as an oral health care professional.
In 2006, he became close friends with Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Chase. Their friendship strengthened, and the two stayed in contact when stationed apart.
In April of 2009, Epperson suddenly passed away at the age of 21, before having the chance to attend dental school.
Because Chase knew that Epperson's dream was to attend the School of Dentistry, he donated funds for a scholarship in Epperson's name to honor his friend. In March of 2012, Chase's gift of $10,000 was made, and the was established.
“Shane was one of the most genuine and kindhearted people I have ever met. He never hesitated to drop whatever he was immersed in to help another in need. He always had a smile on his face, and everyone who spent time with him had their day brightened immeasurably. The sudden and untimely death of such an intelligent and upstanding young man was a tragedy, compounded by the loss of his promising future,” said Chase.
By establishing this scholarship in Epperson’s memory, Chase wants to ensure that other promising students can fulfill their potential, an opportunity that was denied to his friend.
“To the future recipients, I hope that the path towards your dream is made easier with this help from Shane. He was there for his friends and family when they needed him, and now he is here for you,” Chase stated.
For additional information about the or how to give to the School of Dentistry, please email or call Alex Castañeda, director of development, at (210) 567-6536.