The Guthrie-Koch PKU Scholarship
In memory of Dr. Robert Guthrie, this higher education scholarship
program was started after his death in June 1995 by National PKU News.
Dr. Guthrie developed the newborn screening test for phenylketonuria (PKU)
in 1961. He then worked tirelessly for more than thirty years to establish
newborn screening programs in the United States and many other countries.
Every family of a child with PKU born after the mid-1960's, in a country
where newborn screening is done, has reaped the benefits: more than
20,000 children have been saved from devastating mental retardation caused by
untreated PKU. Early screening and a special diet have allowed these young people
to grow up normally and lead full, productive lives.
Dr. Richard Koch, a long-time colleague and friend of Dr. Guthrie,
died on September 24, 2011. We decided to honor him by adding his name to
the scholarship program. Dr. Koch dedicated his entire career of more than
50 years to identify, treat and help find a cure for PKU. His work was at the
forefront of PKU treatment and research. Dr. Koch was the principal investigator
on two large collaborative studies on PKU children and maternal PKU that forever
changed how PKU was treated. He also lobbied tirelessly for newborn screening for PKU.
There is no question that young people with PKU who are bound for higher education
programs owe this opportunity to early screening and diet treatment. Without PKU
identification early in life, they could be living in institutions or group homes
for the retarded instead of planning to attend college or technical school.
It seemed fitting to establish a scholarship program in Dr. Guthrie's name and to add
to that the name of our beloved Dr. Koch. The scholarship will benefit bright young
people with PKU who are planning to obtain higher education degrees through college
or technical school.
From its start in 1989, Dr. Guthrie was a member of the Board of Directors of
National PKU News and Dr. Koch was a consultant to National PKU News for medical
issues. National PKU News is a nonprofit organization devoted to bringing news
and other information to families living with PKU. Beyond their single-minded
dedication to preventing the mental retardation caused by PKU through screening
and proper treatment, throughout their lives, Dr. Guthrie and Dr. Koch were devoted
advocates for families living with it. National PKU News was started with the strong
support and encouragement of both of these amazing men.
We hope families, and others whose lives have been touched by Dr. Guthrie's
and Dr. Koch's remarkable careers will generously support The Guthrie-Koch PKU
Scholarship.
Who is eligible:
Scholarships are open to any college-age young person with PKU who is on diet treatment and is not in graduate school (the scholarship is now open only to undergraduates, a change from previous years due to financial reasons). Residents of any country are eligible to apply, but the application must be in English or translated into readable English.
Applicants must be accepted to an accredited college or technical school before the scholarship is awarded, but may apply for the scholarship before acceptance is confirmed.
Who will review scholarship applications:
A scholarship committee will review all applications. The committee consists of well-known PKU professionals and Guthrie family members.
Scholarship awards:
Academic excellence and financial need of the applicant will be among factors considered, but financial need is NOT a prerequisite for being awarded a scholarship or merit award (it is only considered when the committee decides on the amount of the award).
We are looking for excellent students, no matter what their financial need.
Application deadline:
Applications will be available after July 1 each year for that year's applications.
Completed applications must be postmarked by October 15 each year.
Return to:
The Guthrie-Koch PKU Scholarship
c/o National PKU News
6869 Woodlawn Ave. NE #116
Seattle, WA 98115-5469
Last update: September 2011
E-mail: schuett@pkunews.org