The Dr. Estelle L. Kassebaum Memorial Scholarship was established in 2006 to carry on Dr. Kassebaum’s ministry in providing Catholic Education to students and helping them to realize their full potential. The Memorial Scholarship’s Pay It Forward Program was created in 2009 to further Dr. Kassebaum’s vision to help raise up the next generation of Catholic leaders by encouraging scholarship recipients to help make a difference in their parish, school, or community through a leadership service project.

Minimum Requirement:
Currently be an enrolled junior at MDCHS

The Dr. Estelle L. Kassebaum Memorial Scholarship is now open to juniors. Applications are available in Mrs. Puschendorf’s office and are due by information coming soon. Incomplete or illegible applications will not be accepted. Completed applications should be sent via email to The Dr. Estelle L. KIassebaum Memorial Scholarship at drkassebaumscholarship@gmail.com (PDF files only). Please direct questions to Mrs. Puschendorf, MDCHS School Counselor, at apuschendorf@mdchs.net

This prestigious scholarship is awarded annually to qualified members of the Junior Class of Mater Dei Catholic High School. Candidates must exemplify excellence in scholarship, character, leadership, and service and are interviewed by board members of The Dr. Estelle L. Kassebaum Scholarship Foundation.

Upon selection, candidates are required to complete an approved leadership service project through the Pay It Forward Leadership Service Project Program. After completing their projects, candidates will be fully vested as Kassebaum Scholars. Besides receiving a scholarship to be applied to their tuition in their senior year, the scholars and their families will be honored at The Dr. Estelle L. Kassebaum Annual Celebration of Life Event. Forever a part of the Kassebaum Legacy, the Kassebaum Scholars’ names will be commemorated on a memorial scholarship plaque that is in The Dr. Estelle L. Kassebaum Theater.

• GPA: 3.75 or above
• Applicants in their Junior year become candidates for the scholarship once recommended by the Board Members of The Dr. Estelle L. Kassebaum Scholarship Foundation and approved by MDCHS Administration. Only those candidates who attend the required training and complete their Leadership Service Project will become Kassebaum Scholars.
• Priority is based on demonstrated excellence in scholarship, character, leadership and service.
• Award will be applied during the 2025-2026 school year.
• Projected award for the 2025-6 school year is $2,000. To be updated soon.

Applications are currently closed for the 2025-2026 school year. 

A passionate and forward thinking educator, administrator, and mentor who loved her students,  Dr. Estelle L. Kassebaum (formerly Estelle L. Rubano) was recognized nationally for her innovative and far reaching contributions to Catholic Secondary Education for over 35 years.

President of Marian/Mater Dei Catholic High School, Dr. Kassebaum passed away January 24, 2006 at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla.  The cause of death was advanced ovarian cancer that was diagnosed on January 4, 2006.  She was 68.

Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Kassebaum married and came to San Diego where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of San Diego College for Women in 1970.  In 1983, she completed her Master’s Degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University and Post Doctoral Studies in Education from Berne University in 2002.

Dr. Kassebaum spent the majority of her career at the University of San Diego High School (USDHS).  While there, she taught many classes, wrote curriculum for the Fine Arts Department, established parent volunteer programs, launched a Student Exchange Program with Japan, founded the Ambassador for Christ Corps, wrote the USDHS Summer School curriculum, and directed Student Activities.  As USDHS’s Assistant Principal/Executive Director of Development, Dr. Kassebaum revised and implemented the Development Program, developed Annual Giving Campaign strategies, coordinated all Annual Giving Programs, wrote school grants, addressed many National Conferences, inserviced the Dioceses of Victoria and San Antonio, Texas concerning development efforts, headed recruiting for USDHS, and spoke at many National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) Conferences.

Besides being involved in secondary education, she served as an Adjunct Professor for five years at Azusa Pacific University.  During her years with Azusa, she taught Contemporary Teaching Strategies, Organization and Control of American Schools (School Law) and Instructional Management in the Master’s Program for Educators.

In 1995, Dr. Kassebaum became the Principal and Director of Development for Marian Catholic High School (MCHS).  Calling MCHS “Our Blessed Mother’s Campus,” she worked tirelessly to give Marian Catholic High School a “face lift” by adding a new entrance to the school grounds, renovating numerous buildings, adding portable classrooms, and updating curriculum to a competitive standard.  She launched the school into global education through a Student Exchange Program with Japan, developed an Annual Giving Campaign for the school, reactivated the Alumni Association, established a Parent Volunteerism Program, placed MCHS on the cutting edge of technology by installing a local area network in the school, and raised student enrollment to an all time high.

During this same time period, she served as a member of the Board of Directors that enabled the development of the newly opened Cathedral Catholic High School.

In 2005, Dr. Kassebaum became President of Marian / Mater Dei Catholic High School.  As President, she raised over 50 million dollars for Mater Dei Catholic High School.  Mater Dei Catholic High School is scheduled to open in Fall 2007.

Dr. Kassebaum was a member of the Downtown San Diego Rotary Club as well as many educational organizations.  She was one of eight national recipients of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) Award and was honored by the Greater San Diego Industry and Educational Council for her educational contributions.  In addition, she received the Council for Advancement and Support for Education (CASE) Award for outstanding small publications, and was selected by the San Diego Journal as a finalist for “Women Who Make a Difference.”  Dr. Kassebaum was also selected as one of 2000 most notable women in America and was recognized by the Professional Women’s Association of Southern California for outstanding contributions to secondary education.

Dr. Kassebaum will be greatly missed by her family and friends, and by the faculty and students she served for so many years.  She is survived by her husband, David Kassebaum; daughters, Katherine Gillcrist of La Jolla and Nancy Trometter of Pennsylvania; and 11 grandchildren.