James and Leita Feay Memorial Scholarship

 Leita Siegfried Feay  (1931-2005)
James Feay  (1927-2006)

Sheila Feay-Shaw and husband Steven Shaw established the James and Leita Feay Memorial Scholarship Endowment in 2006 in memory of Sheila’s parents. Leita Feay, a registered nurse, grew up in a musical family where, despite modest means, the children learned both to play an instrument and to sing. From 1947 to 1950, she played trombone at Madison (SD) High School and was the marching band’s drum major as well. James Feay, a United Methodist minister on northern Wisconsin’s Menominee Indian Reservation for thirty years, and had a passion for playing scrub board at family sing-a-longs.

Jim and Leita Feay gave their four children the gift of musical, dance, theatre, and artistic training, attending concerts and performances throughout their children’s school and college years. Because no one completes graduate study and becomes a university faculty member without financial and emotional support, Sheila and Steven honor the Feays by establishing a continuing source of financial aid for others. This scholarship will be awarded annually to a music education student who excels in leadership, musicianship, and teaching.