Engineering Scholarships Available To Farmville Students
Published 4:00 pm Tuesday, January 18, 2011
High school students looking for a career in engineering are encouraged to apply for the Ross Wagner Scholarship. An unlimited number of scholarships have been established by Gemini Incorporated in honor of Ross Wagner, who was chairman of the company's Board of Directors from 1988-1992.
The Ross Wagner Scholarships provide full-ride scholarships for students majoring in civil, biomedical, aeronautical, mechanical, electrical, aerospace, and chemical engineering. Students seeking degrees in chemistry and physics may also apply. It is open to students in the United States and Canada where Gemini has plants; Cannon Falls, MN; Farmville, Fallon, NV; Taylor, TX; Decorah, IA; Hanover, Ontario; and the hometowns of Gemini's founders; Howard, SD and Randolph, MN. Funds from the $2 million fund plus earnings will be dispersed to as many students as qualified until the fund is exhausted.
In addition, the student must attend one of the top 30 engineering schools in the U.S. and Canada as rated by U.S. News and World Report (those that include Doctorate programs). Additionally, McGill University, the University of Waterloo and Simon Fraser University at Vancouver, British Columbia are eligible schools. The student must maintain a B grade-point average, work in the school's engineering lab, and work in the field of endeavor during summer break.
A World War II veteran who witnessed the flag-raising at Iwo Jima, Ross C. Wagner (1924-1992) was also vice president and general manager of ADC during a time when the company grew from $3.5 million in sales to $400 million. He succeeded Donald Mensing as chairman of Gemini's Board of Directors, and was instrumental in several engineering decisions at Gemini during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Wagner graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa and finished his studies at the University of Iowa.
Several full-expense reimbursement scholarships are available. To apply or for a complete list of guidelines for the Ross Wagner Scholarship, go to rosswagnerfoundation.org or contact Nancy Vandergon at Gemini Incorporated at (507) 263-3957 no later than February 15.