Central College has announced the awarding of 16 new Geisler-Penquite Scholars in 2024.
The Geisler-Penquite Foundation honors and supports students in the college’s education program who exhibit academic success, progress in the program and potential for leadership in the field of education. Each of the 16 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 from Pleasantville
- Emma Benz from Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Alaina Bunde from Guthrie Center
- Sydney Buseman from Hampton
- Abigail Goering from Saint Charles
- Annika Kruse from Solon
- Parker Lawrence from Maxwell
- Thomas Morlan from Tiffin
- Riley Packer from Erie, Illinois
- Morgan Peterson from Newton
- Makayla Ribble from Iowa City
- Taylor Sniezek from Gilbert
- Leslie Snow from Olivia, Minnesota
- Lily Vernooy from Oskaloosa
- Jasmyn Williams from Henderson, Colorado
The first Geisler-Penquite Scholarship was awarded in 2011 to Nathan Wall from the Class of 2013, who is now a sixth-grade teacher in the Carroll Community School District.
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. Earlier this fall, the foundation announced it will disperse all funds and close the foundation. It granted Central more than $9 million.