Iowa Lakes Scholarship Opportunities

The Nathan "Willy" Wilson Memorial Scholarship was established in 2010. Willy had always been interested in farming and raising cattle before his untimely death in 2009. The family hopes this scholarship will help to do the same for an Iowa Lakes student. Requirements include a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA, full-time enrollment (12+ credits) in Farm Equipment and Diesel Technology or Agriculture Transfer for the upcoming fall semester, and a resident of Emmet, Dickinson, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Martin (MN) or Jackson (MN) county. Preference may be given to a student focusing on beef.

Family members established the Norma Newhouse Memorial Scholarship in 2002 at Iowa Lakes Community College. Norma worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant at the Emmetsburg Care Center for over 23 years. She greatly valued higher education and believed in quality care for all citizens. Requirements include non-traditional student (minimum 25 years of age), full-time enrollment (12+ credits) and sophomore status in Associate Degree Nursing. This award is $500 and must be used for tuition, books or fees.

The Oliver M. Anderson Family Memorial Scholarship was established in 2005 by Vickie Anderson, daughter of Marvel Anderson, retired Iowa Lakes employee, and sister of Oliver M. Anderson, Jr., to help keep her family members' memories alive while benefiting an Iowa Lakes Community College student-athlete. Vickie Anderson, an Iowa Lakes alumna, participated in sports at Iowa Lakes and wanted to award a graduating senior athlete from Estherville Lincoln Central who plans to attend Iowa Lakes. Requirements include a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA and plans to participate in an athletic program at the college. The ward must be used for tuition, books or fees and is renewable for a second consecutive year.

The Palo Alto County Scholarship was established in 1999 at Iowa Lakes Community College. The Iowa Lakes Foundation, with the help of Iowa Lakes employees and community committee members, raises scholarship funds. Requirements include permanent Palo Alto County resident, full-time enrollment (12+ credits) and a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA. Award amounts vary and must be used for tuition, books or fees.

In 2008, the Palo Alto County Health System of Emmetsburg, Iowa, established the Palo Alto County Health Care Scholarship at Iowa Lakes Community College. Requirements include full-time enrollment (12+ credits) in Associate Degree Nursing, Medical Assistant Specialist, Practical Nursing Substance Abuse Counseling or Surgical Technology; minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA and permanent Palo Alto County residency. The award amounts are $1,250 and must be used for tuition, books or fees.

The Pearson Jazz Scholarship was created by Perry and Theresa Pearson in 2013. Requirements include full-time enrollment at Iowa Lakes Community College and participation in the music program (specifically a Jazz instrumental music group). One recipient per year will be awarded. The $500 award must be used for tuition, books, or fees and will be split between Fall and Spring semesters. Preference will be given to students who are interested in a career in the music industry.

Iowa Lakes Community College funds the Presidential Scholarship for students with high academic ability. Applicants must be enrolling full-time (12+ credits) at Iowa Lakes. High school transcript (including GPA, class rank, and ACT or SAT score) is required and may be scanned and attached to online scholarship application. Awards range from $3,000 to $5,000 for tuition and are renewable for Presidential Scholars in good standing. Students must possess two of the three requirements: Cumulative GPA of 3.4; ACT =>23 or SAT =>1170; Class Rank within the top 10% of the graduating class. The scholarship is renewable for a second year (4 semesters total) as long as the student submits a completed scholarship application each year and meets the requirements for the Honors Program.

For 36 years, Randy Beernink shared his expertise at the Iowa Lakes Community College computer center, starting as a programmer and eventually becoming the director. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Northwestern, later returning to the University of Iowa where he earned an additional Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Family and friends established the scholarship in 2019 to help non-traditional students continue their education. Requirements include full-time (12+ credits) enrollment at Iowa Lakes and a financial need as determined by FASFA. The awardee must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Awards can be used for tuition, books or fees.

In 2003, Irma M. Hasbrook, of Estherville, established the Raymond Hasbrook Memorial Scholarship at Iowa Lakes Community College to honor her late husband. Irma's generosity helps make education at Iowa Lakes a reality for students. Requirements include a graduating high school senior planning to enroll full-time (12+ credits) and financial need determined by FAFSA results. Awards are $500 and must be used for tuition, books or fees.

In 2000, River Valley Telecommunications Coop of Graettinger and Ruthven, Iowa, established the River Valley Telecommunications Coop Scholarship at Iowa Lakes Community College. Requirements include graduating Senior planning to enroll full-time (12+ credits) at Iowa Lakes; residing in a home with parent(s) or guardian(s) who subscribe to at least one of RVTC services: Telephone, Internet, or TV; and having a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA. Awards are $800 and must be used for tuition, books or fees.

The Robert Griffith Scholarship is funded by the Robert Griffith Charitable Trust and is administered by Iowa Lakes Community College Foundation. This scholarship was established in memory of Robert and Audrey Griffith, along with Robert's parents, Harry and Rachel Griffith. Requirements include full-time (12+ credits) enrollment at an accredited College or University in the course of study pertaining to Theology, History, Mathematics or Medicine. Preference will be given to those attending an Iowa College or University. Recipients must be an Emmet County, Iowa resident, graduate of Estherville Lincoln Central, or a resident of North Union School district and attend/graduated from North Union. They must also have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater and complete at least one year of study (24 credits). Award may be used for tuition, books, fees, or tools/materials required by the course syllabus. Awards will vary and be available for the recipients entering years 2-5 of study. This scholarship is renewable; however, the recipients must complete a new application for each academic year.

Created in 2022, the Rosenboom Machine and Tool, Inc. Scholarship was established to invest in employee development and the advancement of technology in modern manufacturing. "Rosenboom is proud to partner with Iowa Lakes Community College in developing a scholarship focused on advancing careers in manufacturing. Programs like those at Iowa Lakes allow students to get a jump start on a career in manufacturing," stated Brian Rosenboom, Corporate Vice President, Rosenboom Machine & Tool, Inc. Requirements include full-time (12+ credits) enrollment at Iowa Lakes Community College in Accounting Specialist, Electrical Technology, Engineering Technology, Farm Equipment and Diesel Technology, Welding Technology, or Computer Programming, a minimum 2.5 GPA and be a resident of the Iowa Lakes College District. Preference will be given to Rosenboom employees or their immediate dependents.

The Ruth Ann and Joe Loebach Nursing Scholarship was established in 2024. The Loebach family has established this scholarship both as a way to honor Ruth Ann's academic achievements and caring nature and in response to her experience residing in a local care center. "Mom earned a degree in Residential Care Management and knew firsthand the challenge of recruiting and retaining qualified individuals to work directly with residents. Too often, facilities find themselves short-staffed to the detriment of patients and the stress of staff and administration. The Loebach Family hopes that establishing this scholarship will encourage caring individuals to train for and enter direct patient care." - Mary Loebach Riesen

The award is $1000 per academic year. It will be split between the fall and spring semesters for recipients who continue to meet the criteria. Preference will be given to parishioners from St. John's Parish in Bancroft, Iowa, St. Michael's Parish in Whittemore, Iowa, and St. Cecilia's Parish in Algona, Iowa.