News – Page 4 – MCC Foundation

April 30, 2015April 30, 2015

First Medina Family Scholarships Awarded

MARSHALLTOWN – Alfonso Medina Jr. came to the Marshalltown Community College campus Wednesday afternoon to award the first ever Medina Family Scholarship to two MCC students. Recipients for the inaugural scholarship were Alma Silva Morales and Kari Paw. The scholarship is $400.

“I created this scholarship to give back to Marshalltown,” says Alfonso Medina Jr. “I graduated from Marshalltown High School, went to Marshalltown Community College so I wanted to create something that helped this community.”

“I’m excited about it, and I’m thankful because it will help me out a lot,” says Alma Silva Morales. “I graduate next year and am planning to go to Iowa State University to study Human Resources. I want to help others,” adds Morales.

“I’m very glad there’s a scholarship that can help me continue my education,” says Kari Paw. Paw is currently at MCC and plans on going to ISU after graduating.

Each participant was asked to write an essay about what the American Dream means to them.

“The scholarship is open to anybody,” says Medina. “All you have to do is write an essay on ‘The American Dream’ and what it means to you. These are the first two recipients of the scholarship so I’m very excited. Hopefully we can continue to do this every year.”

Medina says he’s doing this on behalf of his family, who owns and operates both El Portal and La Carreta in Marshalltown. After his time at MCC, Medina moved on to ISU to earn a degree in Hospitality Management.

Donors wishing to contribute to or establish scholarship funds are encouraged to contact MCC Foundation Executive Director Carol Geil for more information at 641-844-5747 or Carol.Geil@iavalley.edu. Gifts to the MCC Foundation are always tax-exempt!

PHOTO CAPTION: Alfonso Medina Jr. (middle) presents the first ever Medina Family Scholarship to MCC Students Alma Silva Morales (left) and Kari Paw (right).

September 22, 2014

Alumnus Bill Faust bequeaths $1M to MCC

Students at Marshalltown Community College will soon be seeing an extensive renovation to their student center, thanks to the generosity of MCC graduate, William “Bill” Faust. The Dubuque native has donated nearly $1 million to Marshalltown Community College to renovate the MCC Student Union area. It’s the largest single gift to the MCC Foundation to date.
“At MCC we are focused on becoming the top community college in Iowa for ensuring student success and providing a great overall experience,” says Dr. Robin Lilienthal, MCC Provost. “Mr. Faust’s generosity as a result of his own positive memories of the college will truly benefit the student experience at Marshalltown Community College. For a long time we have envisioned a major renovation of our student union and related spaces to create the “heart” of our college where students carry the learning they engage in seamlessly between formal instruction and co-curricular engagement. By creating campus spaces that promote great conversation, leadership opportunities, and a chance to build relationships, research shows that opportunities for success increase exponentially.”
Bill Faust
Bill was born on February 20, 1950, in Dubuque, Iowa. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High, then “followed a friend” (in his words) to Marshalltown Community College. After graduating from MCC in 1971, he completed a bachelor’s degree in marketing at the University of Northern Iowa. He then went to work for Deere & Company World Headquarters in Moline, IL, in progressively responsible positions before retiring as an analyst in the forecasting of equipment sales in 2004. He enjoyed trout fishing, biking, working out and working at home on his projects. Bill passed away last year on June 23, 2013, at his home in Moline.
Carol Geil, Executive Director of the Marshalltown Community College Foundation recalls speaking to Mr. Faust about his wishes before he died. “Bill told me that when he began working on his financial planning after retirement, he wanted to leave money from his estate to organizations that had ‘truly meant something’ in his life. As he reminisced, he kept coming back to his time at MCC. He said he was profoundly impacted as a student by the faculty here, particularly Don Maze and John McCurdy, and that some of the best memories of his life revolved around being with friends at the ‘red brick monstrosity’ of the uptown campus during his time here.”
Bill wanted his legacy gift to “make a big splash” and to be used on a “bricks and mortar” project such as building something new or, in this case, a renovation. The renovation of the student union seemed like a fantastic match for his fond memories of time spent at MCC and creating a similar location to create those memories for students in the future. He became very excited about the prospect of giving that gift to all MCC students with his money.
“Because we want to do this right, we will spend the better part of a year engaging students and stakeholders and planning for the project,” says Lilienthal. “A construction timeline, at this point, is anticipated for summer 2016.”

July 29, 2014July 29, 2014

Masonic Temple adds to endowment

(L-R): Gary Schaudt, MCC Foundation President; Carol Geil, MCC Foundation Executive Director; Mary Quam, Jeff’s mother; and Tyler Green, Worshipful Master of Marshall Lodge #108

Masonic Lodge donates $4,000 to scholarship fund at MCC

MARSHALLTOWN – Marshalltown Masonic Lodge #108 members presented an addition to the Jeff Quam Memorial Scholarship through the Marshalltown Community College Foundation this month. The new $4,000 donation will enhance the original gift of $8,064.82 that established the fund.

The Marshalltown Masonic Lodge #108 Jeff Quam Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of Jeff Quam. Jeffrey Edward “Jeff” Quam was born in Marshalltown March 31, 1957, the son of Robert and Mary Quam. He died Dec. 22, 2006, under Iowa River Hospice care. Jeff attended Norris and Woodbury Elementary Schools, Anson Junior High, and was a 1976 graduate of Marshalltown High School. He participated in Junior Achievement and began his career in retail sales through the MHS distributive education program at Woolco, later attending Marshalltown Community College.

Jeff’s love of local history was kindled at a special interest summer course while he was a student at Woodbury. As an adult, he left employment with Titus True Value to become the administrator of the Historical Society of Marshall County. After completing his role as administrator, Jeff continued on the Historical Society board and returned to Thompson True Value. He was Historical Society board president at the time of his death.

Jeff’s other compelling interest was the Marshalltown Masonic Organizations and many hours were spent at the Masonic Temple. He served as Worshipful Master of Marshall Lodge No. 108, A.F. & A.M. and each of the York Rite bodies: High Priest of Signet Chapter No. 38, R.A.M.; Illustrious Master of King Solomon Council No. 20, R.&S.M.; and Eminent Commander of St. Aldemar Commandery No. 30, K.T. Jeff organized upgrades to the Masons’ fifth floor meeting space and also was on the Masonic Holding Corporation board that oversees the Temple building operations, serving as president prior to his death. Jeff was given a Masonic service at his funeral.

Jeff’s family requested memorials made in his memory be directed to the Historical Society of Marshall County for the renovation of Taylor #4 (the Weatherbee School) or to establish a Marshall Masonic Lodge Scholarship fund. The Masons decided to use the scholarship monies for Marshalltown Community College students majoring or minoring in history.

In 2007 the members of Polar Star Lodge No. 113 at LeGrand were in the process of closing their lodge and merging with Marshall Lodge No. 108. The members voted that $8,000 of Polar Star Lodge’s monies be directed to Jeff’s scholarship fund.

Creating a memorial scholarship is one way to establish a legacy and financially assist MCC students and future students with their education. Anyone interested in learning more about starting a scholarship at MCC can contact Carol Geil at 641-844-5747.

June 18, 2014June 18, 2014

Medina Family Creates New Scholarship

Alfonso Medina and his family established this scholarship in April of 2014 upon their belief in and commitment to education as a part of pursuing the American Dream. Application Criteria: Minimum GPA of 2.33. One Marshalltown High School Senior and one South Tama County High School Senior attending MCC. Full-time student. Financial need considered. May be non US Citizen. 2 scholarships at $400 each. Applicants to this scholarship will be required to write a two-page essay on his/her view of the American Dream and how it relates to him/her. Donations to this scholarship are welcomed from the public, and could impact the numbers and dollar value of awards in the future.

May 30, 2014May 30, 2014

2014 Fairall Recipients

Twelfth Annual Fairall Memorial Scholarships Awarded

Several Central Iowa families had an extra special reason to honor family members who have served in the Armed Forces this Memorial Day. Because members of their families chose to serve in the Armed Forces, these students were eligible and eventually selected as recipients of the Loyal S. and Helen Fairall Memorial Scholarships.

The Fairall Memorial Scholarships provide full tuition and fees for 16 credit hours a semester, for the 2014-2015 academic year at Marshalltown Community College. Recipients are: Emily Anker, Brenda Burrows, Emily Guymer, Samantha Mowrey, Rachel Noe, Andrew Potter, and Claire Underwood.

For the twelfth year the American Legion Scholarship Committee awarded the scholarships in memory of Loyal S. and Helen Fairall. In all, 64 MCC students have received the Fairall Memorial scholarships, something the Fairall family believes would have made Loyal very proud. Loyal served in leadership positions of American Legion Post #46 and was Commander in 1956. The award honors all of the men and women who are or have served their country so faithfully through the years.

Applicants for the Fairall Memorial Scholarship must meet criteria of having family members who served in the Armed Forces of the United States. Members of the American Legion Scholarship Committee Kelley Fairall Fifer, Jeff Heiden and Vic Hellberg selected the students after carefully evaluating many applicants.

Carol Geil, MCC Foundation Executive Director, welcomed the students and their families; “There is a legacy of commitment to important values within the Fairall family. Two of their most strongly held values are education, and service to country. By creating this scholarship fund, they have combined their commitment to these values and honor these other families’ service to country by giving educational assistance to a college student in the family.”

Emily Anker, daughter of David and Kristie Anker of Earlham, graduated from Earlham Community High School in 2013. Emily’s father, David Anker, is a Navy Veteran and has been on Reserve Duty with the Iowa National Guard since 1988, including two post-9/11 deployments, with one overseas. This is the second year Emily has received the full-tuition scholarship and she’s extremely grateful for the opportunity. “Being a recipient of last year’s Loyal S. and Helen Fairall Memorial Scholarship allowed me to be a more active member of MCC and the Marshalltown community. After being so involved at my high school, it has been a joy to continue my involvement in sports, school activities, and clubs here at MCC.”

Brenda Burrows, daughter of Julian Pinon and Patricia Vargas of Tama, is in her second semester of MCC’s Practical Nursing Program. Brenda’s husband, Brandon, currently serves in the Iowa National Guard as a helicopter pilot and has served in overseas deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Emily Guymer, daughter of Jeff Guymer and Amy LeWarne of Marshalltown, is a 2013 graduate of Marshalltown High School. Emily’s Grandfather, Avis Hartsell, was a Master Sergeant in the Army during the Korean War from 1951-52. He served with the 45th and 369th Replacement Companies in Inchon. This is the second year Emily has received this prestigious scholarship. She plans to finish her A.A. degree at MCC and transfer to Iowa State University and pursue a degree in Education.

Samantha Mowrey, daughter of the late Richard Mowrey, and Brian and Christine Gould of Gladbrook, is a 2012 Green Mountain-Garwin High School graduate. She has already completed the Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Medication Aide, and MCC’s Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program. She currently works as an LPN at Primary Health Care in Marshalltown. Samantha intends to eventually obtain a Master’s Degree as a Nurse Practitioner. Her Grandfather, Harold Vajgrt, served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This is the second year Samantha has received this scholarship.

Rachel Noe, daughter of Allan and Karen Noe, is a 2014 graduate of Marshalltown High School. Rachel was involved in many activities at MHS, including cheerleading, color guard/drill team, French club, and the Delegation for the Advancement of History. Rachel’s grandfather, Dohren Richardson, served in WWII and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Richardson was also imprisoned in Stalag IV-B, a POW camp in Germany. Rachel’s paternal grandfather, Leroy Noe, also served during WWII from 1943-46.

Andrew Potter, son of Steve and Chris Potter, is a 2014 graduate of Marshalltown High School. Andrew’s grandparents, George and Annette Fillian both served in the armed forces. Annette served in 1945-46 as a Medic in the Army, and George served in 1951-52 in the Air Force Reserves. Andrew has run cross-country and track, and has been in band, jazz band and pep band. He’s also a member of the National Honor Society.

Claire Underwood, daughter of Gary Underwood and Sue Goodman, is a 2014 graduate of West Marshall High School. Her grandfather, Donald Goodman, served in the U.S. Army from 1956-58 as a clerk-typist. With this scholarship, Claire will be able to pursue her goals of going to college and becoming an accountant.

Applications for the 2015-16 scholarship will be available from the MCC Financial Aid office, 3700 S. Center St., Marshalltown, or the American Legion Post #46, PO Box 157, Marshalltown, IA 50158 after January 1 of 2015. Completed forms will due to the Legion Scholarship Committee by March 1.