Established in 2025, the Dr. Gary Bleeker Memorial Scholarship provides funds to support educator attendance at KATE’s annual Fall Conference.
Dr. Bleeker was a beloved Professor of English and Associate Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Emporia State University for four decades, specializing in young adult literature, English education, and American literature. He served on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards for English Language Arts and co-authored a column with his wife Barbara in the Topeka Capital-Journal about children’s and young adult books.
Dr. Bleeker was also deeply invested in KATE. He was a KATE member for 26 years (1980-2006); served on the KATE Executive Board for 25 years (1981-2006); served as Editor of Kansas English for four years (1982-1985) during which time he published eight issues of the journal (two per year); and served as KATE President in 1991 and 1992. He also coauthored with Barbara articles in Kansas English about children’s and young adult books set in Kansas (1995) and how to use the William Allen White Book Award nominees in the classroom (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998).
Dr. Bleeker also represented KATE and Kansas at the national level, serving as State Coordinator for the NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing (1987-2006) and State Representative for the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the NCTE (ALAN) in 2005-2006.
Over the course of his career and beyond, Dr. Bleeker touched the lives of thousands of English teachers and students through his extraordinary and exemplary service to English education at the university, state, and national levels. He remained supportive of KATE even after his retirement and cross-country move with Barbara to New Jersey in 2011, often writing supportive comments on KATE’s Facebook group. He remained a champion of English teachers throughout his life, and his legacy lives on in the educators and students who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.
Dr. Bleeker was a beloved Professor of English and Associate Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Emporia State University for four decades, specializing in young adult literature, English education, and American literature. He served on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards for English Language Arts and co-authored a column with his wife Barbara in the Topeka Capital-Journal about children’s and young adult books.
Dr. Bleeker was also deeply invested in KATE. He was a KATE member for 26 years (1980-2006); served on the KATE Executive Board for 25 years (1981-2006); served as Editor of Kansas English for four years (1982-1985) during which time he published eight issues of the journal (two per year); and served as KATE President in 1991 and 1992. He also coauthored with Barbara articles in Kansas English about children’s and young adult books set in Kansas (1995) and how to use the William Allen White Book Award nominees in the classroom (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998).
Dr. Bleeker also represented KATE and Kansas at the national level, serving as State Coordinator for the NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing (1987-2006) and State Representative for the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the NCTE (ALAN) in 2005-2006.
Over the course of his career and beyond, Dr. Bleeker touched the lives of thousands of English teachers and students through his extraordinary and exemplary service to English education at the university, state, and national levels. He remained supportive of KATE even after his retirement and cross-country move with Barbara to New Jersey in 2011, often writing supportive comments on KATE’s Facebook group. He remained a champion of English teachers throughout his life, and his legacy lives on in the educators and students who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.
Donate to the scholarship
Please send check donations via mail to KATE's treasurer, Eileen Wertzberger, using our invoice slip.
about the scholarship: How it works
Official details about application will be unveiled at the 2026 KATE Conference in Wichita, KS! More information coming soon!
apply for the scholarship
The application window will open in early 2027. Check back soon!
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