Nathan Wall, a junior elementary education major at Central College in Pella, was awarded the Geisler Penquite Scholarship in Educational Excellence. He is a Manning native.
Wall was chosen for the substantial scholarship by a committee of his education faculty and alumni.
“Nate is someone with great potential, not only to be a great teacher but to be a strong teacher leader,” said Dr. Esther Streed, associate professor of education.
The new scholarship is funded by the Geisler Penquite Foundation, established in honor of John and Gertrude Geisler by their children and their spouses, the late Harold and Mavis Geisler and Cecil Geisler Penquite and Loren Penquite. The foundation has endowed many projects at Central College, including the Geisler Library.
The scholarship, for elementary and secondary education majors, will be awarded annually. In 2013, two students will each receive a scholarship, and the number will continue to grow every year.
“The families made this exceptional commitment to Central College students,” said Gary Timmer, president of the foundation. “They would be overjoyed to know that Central students who graduate in education will be even better prepared for their careers.”
Recipients must earn a 3.40 GPA or above, be in the second year of their teacher preparation and have a strong commitment to the teaching profession.
“I’m very thankful to be selected,” said Wall. “I’m still kind of in awe. And I’m excited to be a part of the conference and the selection process next year.”
The scholarship is one part of a two-pronged approach to enhance the teacher preparation program at Central. The foundation also established the Excellence in Education program so that all education majors could benefit from improved preparation opportunities.
One part of that program is the Geisler Penquite Education Conference scheduled at Central in February 2012. The conference will feature Harry and Rosemary Wong, the authors of many publications on effective teaching.
“The program is allowing us to not only provide additional opportunities for teacher candidates but to continue the spotlight on Central College as an excellent teacher preparation institution,” said Streed.
Education at Central College is a growing major. Streed said the gift from the Geisler Penquite Foundation is an acknowledgement of the significance of the profession.
“It says to us that education is important,” said Streed.