David Shofler DPM Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is in memory of Dr. Shofler to honor his passion for research and success in mentoring CPM students.
It will be awarded to a fourth year WesternU College of Podiatric Medicine student with a GPA of or greater than 3.0,
with demonstrated financial need who excels at and enjoys research.
Dr. David Shofler earned his Bachelor of the Arts in Mathematics (BA) from the University of California, Berkeley in May 2002, and his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in May 2007. He completed his residency training in June 2010 at a three-year, intensive podiatric surgical residency program offered through Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Shofler earned his Master of Science in Health Sciences (MSHS) in August 2013 from Western University of Health Sciences while serving as a Faculty Scholar at WesternU College of Podiatric Medicine (CPM).
After earning his MSHS degree, Dr. Shofler immediately joined CPM as an instructor before quickly moving up the ranks to become an Assistant Professor of Podiatric Medicine, Surgery & Biomechanics, Director of Research and Director of Assessment.
Dr. Shofler was known to be famously private but would occasionally reveal something about himself that faculty and students would at first think was a prank but that later proved to be true. For example, during a college holiday party, Dr. Shofler once pulled out a harmonica and proceeded to give a great performance of blues, totally caught up in the music.
Another time during a faculty retreat ice breaker, each faculty member had to anonymously reveal a previously unknown fact about themselves. Dr. Shofler’s turned out to be that he had worked for a season on a crab boat in Alaska, which stunned his colleagues.
Dr. Shofler inspired CPM students to participate in the summer research fellowship and had the highest number of students participating from a college several times - 26 one year and 22 this year. His mentorship led to numerous publications with students. In addition, Dr. Shofler recently collaborated with Dr. Devendra Agrawal, Vice President of Research, in the publication of several articles. His passion and success in research has been passed on to many graduates of the college and will be sorely missed.
The students adore him and upon learning of his passing have created a memorial for him outside of his office and quickly volunteered to help his family.
Dean Kathleen Satterfield summed up that “His reach is long and his influence indelible.”
Dr. Shofler passed away unexpectedly on the evening of Monday, May 10th, and is survived by his wife Sarah and their three young children, Everett, Daphne and Hannah.
Faculty, staff, and graduates of the college have established this endowed scholarship to honor Dr. Shofler’s memory and legacy.
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