Dr. Sherman Button Memorial Scholarship for Kinesiology

The Dr. Sherman Button Memorial Scholarship for Kinesiology was established in 2012. Dr. Sherman (Sherm) Button was an Idaho native who spent the final 25 years of his teaching career at Boise State University in the Department of Kinesiology (1977-2002). Prior to Boise State, Sherm taught at UC-Santa Barbara, Madison High School (Portland) and the University of Oregon Tongue Point Job Corps. He and his wife, Nancy, met in 1970 at UC-Santa Barbara, where they both taught Physical Education. Sherm’s greatest joy was starting and overseeing a nationally award winning Physical Education (Kinesiology) majors’ club. He was most proud of receiving the David S. Taylor Service to Students Award at Boise State, as well as the Honored Faculty member of the Boise State Alumni Association and the AAHPERD Joy of Effort Award.

Why did you choose to create your scholarship at Boise State University?

I started this scholarship because Sherm was that one special professor that stood out to me when I was an undergraduate student in the Department of Physical Education, now the Department of Kinesiology, at Boise State University.

What would you want the recipients of your scholarship to know about the person for whom your scholarship is named?

In very simple terms, he was deeply immersed in the profession. Not only was he a great professor, he also modeled the behavior that he sought from his students— that is, living a physically active lifestyle. In addition, Sherm took a personal interest in his students both in and out of the classroom. For example, I believe that Sherm was the first person in the Department to start what turned out to be a very successful Physical Education majors club. In my opinion, it’s professors like Sherm, the very people “in the trenches,” that have the opportunity to have the greatest impact on students lives and futures.

Tell us about your Boise State story, favorite tradition, a “Bronco” moment, or what Boise State has meant to you.

Boise State played a key role in my development not only as a professional, but also as a human being.

What do you hope your recipients will gain through your scholarship?

I would hope that this scholarship would aid each recipient in becoming the best professional and human being they can be.