WFCU Celebrates 2026 Dana Winkler Scholarship Recipients

WFCU Celebrates 2026 Dana Winkler Scholarship Recipients

Wichita Federal Credit Union is proud to celebrate the eight recipients of the 2026 Dana Winkler Scholarship, each of whom received a $2,000 award to support their educational journey.

The scholarship recipients were recognized at an awards dinner on June 6, surrounded by the people who have encouraged and supported them along the way. WFCU board members, including many who serve on the scholarship committee, WFCU staff, and members of the Winkler family were in attendance. Dana Winkler, his wife and son joined the celebration, along with the scholarship recipients and their families and friends.

This year's recipients are:

• Aaron Madrigal Jr.

• Alayna Kempf

• Brianna Rodriguez

• Chelsey Grace Kallman

• James Madden

• Kaylen Cox

• Raegen West

• Sophie McGown

Each recipient received a $2,000 scholarship to help support the cost of continuing their education. At WFCU, we believe that financial well-being is about more than managing money today. It's also about creating opportunities for a brighter tomorrow.

The Dana Winkler Scholarship reflects our commitment to supporting the educational goals of our members and investing in the future of our community. We are honored to recognize these students for their hard work and dedication, and we look forward to seeing all they accomplish.

Congratulations to Aaron, Alayna, Brianna, Chelsey, James, Kaylen, Raegen and Sophie! We wish each of you continued success as you pursue your goals and build your future.

October 1, 2025
On October 1, 2025, Freedom 1st Federal Credit Union and Wichita Federal Credit Union officially merged to form a single entity, now known as Wichita Federal Credit Union. We extend a warm welcome to all our new members!

As we work on integrating our systems this summer, we remain committed to serving the financial needs of all members at McConnell Air Force Base. Our staff is here to assist you with a variety of services, including loans, Visa credit cards, new accounts, and more.

For more information, please visit our merger member resource page via the link below. 

September 8, 2025
On September 8, 2025, Freedom 1^st Federal Credit Union members participated in a Special Membership Meeting to vote on the proposed merger with Wichita Federal Credit Union.

We are excited to announce that the majority voted in favor of the merger. We are transitioning Freedom 1^st  Federal Credit Union members to Wichita Federal Credit Union on October 1, 2025, the official merger date. WELCOME, FREEDOM 1^st  MEMBERS!

We look forward to serving you and enhancing your banking experience.

April 15, 2025
We are excited to share the news of our field of membership expansion. This significant development will help shape the future of our credit union and the communities we serve. In addition to Sedgwick County, we now serve Butler, Cowley, Harvey, and Sumner Counties.  The new Field of Membership is as follows:

If you live, work, worship, attend school, or have a business or other legal entity in Butler, Cowley, Harvey, Sedgwick, or Sumner Counties, you and your immediate family or household are eligible for membership.
This expansion marks a pivotal moment for WFCU; increasing our footprint to five counties will open doors to new opportunities for growth, outreach, and impact.
This will enhance WFCU as a business and deepen our roots within our current and new communities.

Expanding our field of membership is crucial for several reasons.

• It allows our Field of Membership to match Freedom 1st Federal Credit Unions', as WFCU is in the process of a merger with Freedom 1st. (See merger details below.)

• It allows us to broaden our member base, attracting individuals who may not have had access to our (or any) financial services before. This increases our revenue streams as a business and fosters a more diverse and inclusive membership.

• As our credit union grows, so will our ability to offer competitive rates, better services, and a wider range of financial products to meet the needs of our members.

• A larger membership base gives us greater leverage and influence within the community. It strengthens our position to advocate for the interests of our members, negotiate better partnerships, and collaborate with local businesses and organizations to promote initiatives that we truly support and care for.