1st Farm Credit Services in 2001 again provided its community college agricultural scholarship program, providing $500 in scholarship funds each at nine community colleges with an agricultural curriculum. The nine community colleges are located in the organization’s 42-county service territory.

Most of the community colleges offer one $500 scholarship, but several also have opted to provide two $250 ag scholarships from the funds. The scholarship recipients are selected by their respective community college.

The program is designed to assist deserving students at these institutions in pursuing an education in an agriculture or agriculture-related course of study.

In 2001, 12 students received 1st FCS ag scholarships at the nine community colleges. The recipients are:

Tod Barnes, Abingdon. He attened Warren High School where he was active in FFA. He is pursuing a degree in equestrian science and plans to transfer to Western Illinois University.

Travis Fransene, Woodhull. Fransene is the son of Julie Fransene. He attended Cambridge High School where he was active in FFA. He also was a 4-H member. Franscene is pursuing a degree in horticulture.

Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg

Corey Terwilliger, Alexis. Terwilliger is the son of Robert and Liana Terwilliger. He attended Alexis High School and was active in FFA, serving as chapter president and Section 4 vice president, receiving the District 1 Star Farmer Award and finishing as state runner-up in feed grain production. He also was very active in 4-H, serving in a number of offices. He is pursuing a degree in agriculture science, and plans to transfer to Western Illinois University.

Highland Community College, Freeport 

Abbie Hinrichs, Milledgeville. Hinrichs is the the daughter of Dan and Tam Hinrichs. She attended Milledgeville High School, and was active in FFA. A National Honor Society student, she also received the DeKalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award. Hinrichs is pursuing a degree in agricultural production with emphasis in dairy. She plans to transfer to the University of Wisconsin, Platteville.

Illinois Central College, East Peoria. 

Clinton Mapel, Towanda. Mapel is the son of Randy and Linda Mapel. He attended University High School. He was active in FFA and 4H and is pursuing a degree in agriculture with plans to transfer to a four-year university.

Illinois Valley Community College, Oglesby

Kevin Gahan, Utica. Gahan is the son of Don and Glenda Gahan. He attended LaSalle-Peru Township High School where he was active in FFA. He also was active in 4-H. He is pursuing a degree in agriculture.

John Wood Community College, Quincy

Donna Mast, Payson. Mast is the daughter of Earl and Barbra Mast. She attended Payson Seymour High School where she was active in FFA, winning state awards in ag processing and ag sales. She received the American FFA Degree. She also was active in 4-H, competing in the national forestry contest. Mast is pursuing a degree in science-agriculture, and plans to transfer to Western Illinois University to study agriculture business finance.

Craig Davis, Forrest. Davis is the son of Mark and Elaine Davis. He attended Prairie Central High School, where he was active in FFA, serving as chapter secretary and participating on the livestock and crop judging teams. He was a National Honor Society member and 11-year 4-H member. He is pursuing a degree in ag production and management, and has served an internship with the Yellowstone Cattle Company, Bozeman, MT.

Joliet Junior College, Joliet, (two $250 scholarships awarded)

Travis Sweeden, Streator. Sweeden is the son of Dave and Lori Sweeden. He attended Streator Township High School, where he served as FFA chapter president for three years. He also received the Star Chapter Farmer Award and his State FFA Degree. He is pursuing a degree in ag production and management.

Kishwaukee College, Malta

Mike Wiltfang, Oregon. Wiltfang is the son of Tim and Hedii Wiltfang. He attended Byron High School, and was active in FFA. He is pursuing a degree in agribusiness management.

Robin Fisher, Ellisville. Fisher is the daughter of Barry and Laura Fisher. She attended Spoon River Valley High School where she was active in FFA, competing in various career development events. She also was active in 4-H, showing sheep and poultry. She currently competes on Spoon River College’s livestock and meats evaluation team. Fisher is pursuing a degree in agriculture education and plans to transfer to Western Illinois University.

Tara LaFollette, Elmwood. LaFollette is the daughter of Mike and Berta LaFollette. She attended Farmington High School, and was active in FFA, competing in various career development events. LaFollette also was active in 4-H, showing cattle. She is pursuing a degree in agriculture education and plans to transfer to Western Illinois University. She also currently competes on Spoon River College’s livestock and meats evaluation team.