he 2024-25 Mark Pearson FFA Leadership Scholars at DMACC pose for a group photo 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. Local students include Lillian Bru of Gladbrook (second row, third from left) and Delaney Petersen of Reinbeck (third row, far left). PHOTO BY LISA SCHMITZ/DMACC

DES MOINES – 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 $2 million in full-tuition scholarships to qualifying DMACC students since its founding prior to the 2016-2017 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,” said DMACC President Rob Denson. “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.

Introducing the 2024-25 Mark Pearson FFA Leadership Scholars

The 2024-25 class of Mark Pearson FFA Leadership Scholars includes the following students, who are listed with their hometowns, areas of study and year at DMACC (first year or returning):

Natalie Ausdemore of Minden, Elementary Education, first year

Lillian Bru of Gladbrook, Agribusiness, first year

Delaney Bulechek of Frytown, Agribusiness, first year

Cara Caltrider of Adair, Entrepreneurship, returning

Janelle Clark of Albia, Nursing, first year

Alexis Cochrane of Tipton, Agribusiness, first year

Caleb Cook of Pleasantville, Agribusiness, first year

Preston Daufeldt of West Liberty, Agribusiness, returning

Myles Grove of South English, Communication, first year

Carson Kelderman of Tracy, Agribusiness, returning

Tricia Kellner of Humboldt, Liberal Arts, returning

Callie Kohlwes of Colo, Agribusiness, returning

Lane Kool of Moravia, Agribusiness, first year

Calla Langel of Le Mars, Agribusiness, returning

Caleb Lentz of Plainfield, Liberal Arts, first year

Kynsie Lyman of Rockford, Agribusiness, first year

Amy Martin of Milford, Elementary Education, returning

Amanda Ostrem of Stanhope, Agribusiness, returning

Mason Peters of Remsen, Agribusiness, first year

Delaney Petersen of Reinbeck, Liberal Arts, first year

River Rasmussen of Estherville, Agribusiness, first year

Jonah Schumacher of Pleasantville, Agribusiness, returning

Macy Smith of Chariton, Business & Entrepreneurship, returning

Luke Van Essen of Pella, Agribusiness, returning

Trey Voeller of Prairie City, Biology, returning

Trysten Ward of Boone, Nursing, returning

Autumn Wild of Ames, Liberal Arts, first year

The Mark Pearson FFA Leadership Scholarship at DMACC was officially created in April 2016 during an announcement made in the Formal Office of then Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. Pearson was the host of Iowa PBS’ “Market to Market” program for more than 20 years and was the host of WHO Radio’s “The Big Show.” Pearson was a Madison County farmer who also served as an Assistant Secretary of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and was the Markets Editor for Successful Farming Magazine.

For more information about the Mark Pearson FFA Leadership Scholarship, visit dmacc.edu/pearsonscholar.