October 17, 2024

Voeller receives full-tuition ag scholarship

By Newton News
Trey Voeller of Prairie City, second row, far right, was among the students recognized as 2024-25 Mark Pearson FFA Leadership Scholars at DMACC, shown here with DMACC President Rob Denson and Eden Pearson, DMACC English Professor and wife of the late Mark Pearson, at the FFA Enrichment Center on the DMACC Ankeny Campus.

Trey Voeller of Prairie City, second row, far right, was among the students recognized as 2024-25 Mark Pearson FFA Leadership Scholars at DMACC, shown with DMACC President Rob Denson and Eden Pearson, DMACC English professor and wife of the late Mark Pearson, at the FFA Enrichment Center on the DMACC Ankeny Campus. (Lisa Schmitz for DMACC)

Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) is pleased to announce its 2024-25 class of Mark Pearson FFA Leadership Scholars, which includes a total of 27 outstanding students from across Iowa. The group features 14 first-year students and 13 returning students, with each attending DMACC on a full-tuition scholarship during the 2024-25 academic year through the competitive scholarship program.

The Mark Pearson FFA Leadership Scholars Program has awarded more than $2M in full-tuition scholarships to qualifying DMACC students since its founding prior to the 2016-17 academic year at the College. The scholarship program was established in honor of beloved ag broadcaster Mark Pearson, who passed away suddenly in 2012 at the age of 54.

“Some of the greatest leaders in Iowa, across many different industries, have an FFA background,” DMACC President Rob Denson said. “DMACC is proud to help the next generation of leaders prepare themselves for their careers, and we are honored to continue sharing Mark Pearson’s legacy and passion for his profession with today’s students.”

Each year, up to 15 eligible first-year students at DMACC are awarded a Mark Pearson FFA Leadership scholarship, including one student from each of Iowa’s six FFA districts. The scholarship recipients can enroll in any degree program at DMACC, and the scholarship will pay for the completion of their degree. After completing their first year at DMACC, Mark Pearson FFA Leadership scholars are then eligible to maintain their scholarship for a second year.

To qualify for the competitive Mark Pearson FFA Leadership Scholars Program, students must 1) serve as president of their FFA chapter during either their junior or senior of high school; 2) apply for the program during their senior high school; and 3) commit to attending DMACC the fall following their high school graduation. The application period for the scholarship runs from Dec. 1 to March 1 each year, with scholarships awarded in April/May for the upcoming fall semester.

The 2024-25 class of Mark Pearson FFA Leadership Scholars includes returning student Trey Voeller of Prairie City, Biology.