‘Igniting hope’ –  Deere Foundation to help students get to college

The lives of 60 Davenport students could drastically change in the coming years, thanks to a new scholarship program funded through the John Deere Foundation. That six-year, $6.6 million program – called the John Deere Scholars Program – was introduced today, June 3, during a brief news conference at the Davenport Central High School Performing […]

The lives of 60 Davenport students could drastically change in the coming years, thanks to a new scholarship program funded through the John Deere Foundation. That six-year, $6.6 million program – called the John Deere Scholars Program – was introduced today, June 3, during a brief news conference at the Davenport Central High School Performing Arts Center at 1120 Main St. The program will give students from low- and middle-income homes a chance to attend the University of Iowa. “This is about igniting hope. … You will change a generation in a second by doing this,” TJ Schneckloth, Davenport Community Schools superintendent, said during this morning’s news conference.

The program that will spark this generational change is a partnership between the John Deere Foundation, the University of Iowa (UI), and the Davenport Community School District (DCSD). Under this partnership, the foundation will launch a scholarship program that will prepare Davenport Community High School students for a college education at Iowa. “John Deere is leading by example, showcasing how a large company can partner with a university and a public school district to address workforce needs,” Barbara J. Wilson, the president of the University of Iowa, said in a news release ahead of Monday’s announcement. “This is a game-changer not only for the students who will receive the education and leadership experiences they need to succeed in a global society, but also for how we develop pipeline  programs in the future.” The program will begin this fall with college preparatory courses for low- to middle-income seniors at Davenport Central, North, West, and Mid City high schools. The University of Iowa will hire a local program director to collaborate with school counselors to teach the courses, provide training to enhance leadership skills, and help students through the financial aid and admissions process. Ms. Wilson told the QCBJ on Monday that the program director will be a full-time university employee. The hiring process has started, but added that she doesn’t know when the director will start the job.

During the news conference, she added that she is especially pleased with the new scholarship program because it will help some students become the first members of their families to attend a higher education institution. Currently, one in five undergraduates at the University of Iowa are the first members of their families to attend college, she said. Mr. Schneckloth told an audience of about 50 people that he can relate to that feeling of change because he was the first member of his family to attend college. He added that the new scholarship program will help other students attend college and “change a family tree forever.” “We believe education is the foundation for success,” said Mara Downing, president of the John Deere Foundation and vice president of global brand and communications at John Deere. “By investing in our community, John Deere is also investing in opportunities for the leaders of tomorrow. We are excited to begin the John Deere Scholars Program and watch these future leaders achieve their dreams.” Here are some of the new program’s details: 

• • Beginning in spring of 2025, the program will award 20 scholarships per year for three years (60 in total), covering 90% of the total cost to attend UI. The remaining 10% will be covered by additional funding sources, such as work-study. 
  • The first cohort of students will enroll at the University of Iowa in the fall of 2025. Any student taking part in college preparatory courses through the program will be eligible to apply for a scholarship.

• In addition to receiving academic, financial, and social support, scholarship recipients also will take part in specialized leadership training. This includes mentorship programs, field experience, and networking in the student’s field of study.

Mr. Schneckloth told the crowd that when he heard about the new scholarship program “It was like Christmas morning.”