Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – The Ella K. Gall Memorial Scholarship has been established at Arkansas State University to support students enrolled in the physical therapist assistant (PTA) program and honor the life and legacy of Ella Kathryn Gall.
The scholarship was created through gifts from the estate and family of Dr. Lindzy Thomas Gall and Rachel Gall, Ella’s parents. Ella’s brother, Thomas Gall, is included among family members involved in honoring her memory through the establishment of the scholarship.
Ella Gall attended A-State as a student in the PTA program. She died on April 2, 2025, just one month before her expected graduation. Ella was expected to begin her career as a physical therapist assistant later that year, and her diploma was awarded to her family in her honor.
Ella’s family established the scholarship as a way to honor her life and help others complete their educational dreams. Though Ella was never able to begin her career, the scholarship reflects the family’s belief that she would have wanted to help future students pursue their goals and achieve their dreams.
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“This scholarship is a meaningful tribute to Ella’s life and the compassion she brought into every space she entered,” said Dr. Stacy Walz, interim dean for the College of Nursing and Health Professions. “By supporting future physical therapist assistants, this gift ensures that Ella’s legacy will live on through students who share her heart for service, empathy for others, and commitment to providing exceptional patient care.”
The Gall family’s connection to A-State spans multiple generations. Ella’s father attended A-State, and several members of her extended family are alumni, including one who also completed the PTA program.
As part of honoring Ella’s story, the family also wanted to recognize her parents, Dr. Linzy Thomas Gall and Rachel Gall. Dr. Gall owned a veterinary practice in Blytheville, and Rachel Gall was a devoted wife and mother.
“Ella was always someone who would drop anything to help anyone and I believe this scholarship will be an extension of that,” said Hendrix Walker, a classmate and friend of Ella.
The Ella K. Gall Memorial Scholarship reflects the profound impact Ella had on those around her. She was known for being faith driven, compassionate and deeply caring, with a remarkable ability to connect with others and make them feel supported. Those qualities closely align with the core values of the physical therapy profession and serve as the foundation for this scholarship.
The scholarship will be awarded annually to one student during the final spring semester of the PTA program. Applicants will submit an essay reflecting on up to three of the American Physical Therapy Association’s core values and how those values shape their character and future practice. The recipients will be selected by the Department of Physical Therapy faculty and staff.
By investing in future caregivers, the Ella K. Gall Memorial Scholarship ensures that Ella’s influence continues through students who strive to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of the patients and communities they serve.
Those interested in contributing to the Ella K. Gall Memorial Scholarship or learning more about other giving opportunities at A-State may contact the Office of Development at 870-972-3940 or development@AState.edu.
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