Stanley (Lee) and Laura (Barroso) Rudisaile created The Barroso-Rudisaile-Mitzelfelt Endowed Scholarship in honor of their parents’ strong belief in the importance of Christian education.

Laura’s parents, Juan M. and Zoila L. Barroso, immigrated from Mexico to San Antonio, Texas, and then to Keene, Texas. They wanted to provide new opportunities and Christian education for their children. Juan retired from Brandom Kitchen Cabinets, where he enjoyed working with students on a daily basis. Zoila became a nurse and worked in the field for many years. They worked hard to provide a loving, stable home and valuable education for their children. All three of their children are alumni of Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) and are firm believers in its mission.

Stanley’s parents, Dr. Stanley E. and Carole B. Rudisaile, chose healthcare careers. He became a dentist, and she became a nurse. They resided in Farmington, New Mexico, where they were involved in the local church. Dr. Rudisaile enjoyed providing dental care to the Navajo people at La Vida Mission.

After Carole died in 1969, Stanley married Barbara Gerdts, and she worked with him in his dental office until he died in 1974. She married Richard Mitzelfelt in 1976 and worked as a medical transcriptionist at a hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico, until she retired.

As Richard worked in the field of environmental health for the state of New Mexico, he completed a Master of Science degree in Environmental Health. He retired at the top of his field as the Director of the Environmental Improvement Division.

All were lifelong members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and participated in many educational and ministry-related activities that benefitted young people.

Scholarship award requirements

This scholarship is awarded to SWAU students based on academic achievement and financial need who demonstrate purpose, talent, and leadership. It will be distributed in a three-year cycle to juniors or seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The first year it will be awarded to a Hispanic nursing major. The second year it will be awarded to an education major. The third year it will be awarded to a communication major.