Central College celebrates the award of 16 new Geisler-Penquite Scholars in 2024.
The Geisler-Penquite Foundation honors and supports exceptional students in the college’s education program who exhibit academic success, progress in the program and potential for leadership in the field of education.
“This scholarship means so very much to me. It is helping me become a teacher by supporting my schooling and taking a weight off my shoulders — this weight being financial,” says Alaina Bunde, education major in the Class of 2026. “It is such an honor to be a Geisler-Penquite Scholar, and the Geisler-Penquite Foundation supports educators so much. I’m forever grateful for being chosen as a scholar.”
For Riley Davidson, Class of 2025 and Geisler-Penquite Scholarship recipient in 2023-24 from Newton, Iowa, that immense appreciation for the scholarship continues to ring true.
“This scholarship is incredibly important as it has alleviated financial burdens, allowing me to focus wholeheartedly on my studies and teaching practices,” Davidson says. “It not only supports my dream of becoming an impactful educator but also enriches my experience at Central by enabling me to participate in meaningful extracurricular activities. With this opportunity, I can fully immerse myself in the learning community, connecting with peers and mentors who inspire me. I’m so thankful for the chance to grow both personally and professionally!”
Each of these scholars are education majors in the Class of 2026 plus Keleena Hagen, Class of 2025. They join 15 scholars who received the scholarship last year and will receive it again for the 2024-25 academic year.
- Adison Adreon, Pleasantville, Iowa
- Emma Benz, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Alaina Bunde, Guthrie Center, Iowa
- Sydney Buseman, Hampton, Iowa
- Abigail Goering, Saint Charles, Iowa
- Annika Kruse, Solon, Iowa
- Parker Lawrence, Maxwell, Iowa
- Thomas Morlan, Tiffin, Iowa
- Riley Packer, Erie, Illinois
- Morgan Peterson, Newton, Iowa
- Makayla Ribble, Iowa City, Iowa
- Taylor Sniezek, Gilbert, Iowa
- Leslie Snow, Olivia, Minnesota
- Lily Vernooy, Oskaloosa, Iowa
- Jasmyn Williams, Henderson, Colorado
The first Geisler-Penquite Scholarship was awarded in 2011 to Nathan Wall, Class of 2013, who is now a sixth-grade teacher in the Carroll Community School District.
“The recent announcement of the Geisler-Penquite Foundation’s $9 million gift to Central evokes the same emotions I felt as the first scholarship recipient in 2011 — an awestruck feeling coupled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for not only myself, but also past and future educators from the Central education program,” says Wall. “By investing in the students of Central, the foundation not only helps ensure the continued success of an excellent teacher preparation institution, they also directly positively impact the future students of these prospective teachers. The Geisler-Penquite Foundation’s dedication to a love of learning is unmatched and I’m anxious to see the excellence this gift will facilitate throughout the Central education department as well as Central as a whole.”
The Geisler-Penquite Scholarship was established by Harold and Mavis Hobbs Geisler, named honorary alumnus in 2000, and Cecil Geisler Penquite and Loren Penquite in honor of their parents, John Edward Geisler and Gertrude Setzer Geisler. The Geisler-Penquite Foundation created an endowment to provide scholarships for education students in perpetuity. Earlier this fall, the foundation announced it will disperse all funds and close the foundation. It granted Central more than $9 million.
“The ongoing generosity of the Geisler-Penquite Foundation is such a blessing,” says Jen Diers, director of the education program. “Over 100 students have already received financial support from the Geisler-Penquite Foundation scholarships and part of this additional gift will ensure students are able to pursue their dream of becoming a teacher. We are so grateful for the partnership with the Geisler-Penquite Foundation and the legacy it will leave at Central College and perpetually in the field of education.”
Photo caption: Central College celebrated the education majors who received Geisler-Penquite Foundation scholarships. Bottom to top: John Roslien, associate professor of kinesiology, Gary Timmer ’55, Maurine Timmer and Sheri Timmer Roslien ’88. Second row: Cally Gibbs, Abigail Goering, Jennifer Diers and Brooklynn Cassens. Third row: Riley Packer, Kaleena Hagen and Cheyenne McDaniel. Fourth row: Morgan Peterson, Alaina Bunde and Thomas Morlan. Fifth row: Lilly Vernooy. Sixth row: Taylor Sniezek, Jasmyn Williams and Anika Kruse. Seventh row: Savannah Sexton, Gwen Kahlke and Kira Baldus. Eighth row: Leslie Snow, Makayla Ribble and Adison Adreon.