WACO, TEXAS: The Dr Pepper Museum is now accepting applications for its Free Enterprise Institute college scholarship. Funding for the scholarship increased from $5,000 to $10,000 in 2023 allowing the Museum to give away two (2) $5,000 scholarships. These scholarships will be awarded to a graduating high school senior who is pursuing further education at an accredited college in business, entrepreneurship, marketing or a related field. An award will be focused on a McLennan County recipient and a Dallas County resident. Special consideration will be given to students demonstrating financial need. The scholarship will be paid directly to the school. The Dr Pepper Museum will also announce the winners on social media and in local media. 

Requirements for the Dr Pepper Museum Free Enterprise Institute Scholarship include: 

• 2023-2024 High school senior. 
• Resident of either McLennan County or Dallas County  
• Students considering studying business, entrepreneurship, marketing or a related field. 
• Must be attending an accredited two-year or four-year university or college with a course of study in business, finance, entrepreneurship, innovative technology, marketing, and management.  

Applications are due Friday, April 5, 2024. For more details about the scholarship program and information on how to apply, visit the following link.

This scholarship originated with an anonymous donation in honor of Wilton Lanning, Jr., co-founder and first President of the Dr Pepper Museum. Working with W.W. “Foots” Clements, Lanning was instrumental in founding the Museum and its longstanding success. Since the founding of the scholarship, the program has expanded through a generous donation by Janet McCarty in honor of Virginia and W. W. “Foots” Clements. Both had careers at the Dr Pepper Company with Foots serving as the CEO, Chairman, and Chairman Emeritus. The Free Enterprise Institute at the Dr Pepper Museum was named in his honor and Virginia served on the board for many years. As a result of the joint efforts of Lanning and Clements, the Museum continues to thrive and positively impact thousands of children in McLennan County and across the state annually with hands-on programming focused on entrepreneurship, innovation and free enterprise concepts. This scholarship serves as an extension of that work. 

The Dr Pepper Museum is a non-profit organization that opened to the public in May of 1991. Since opening, the Museum has attracted almost 3 million visitors. The Dr Pepper Museum educates, inspires, and entertains by sharing the stories of Dr Pepper and the soft drink industry.