WEST PLAINS, Mo.- Area residents interested in a degree in agriculture can apply for a new scholarship established at Missouri State University-West Plains by a former U.S. Army serviceman.

The Donald Flinner Restricted Scholarship will be available this fall for a student whose area of emphasis or interest relates to agriculture, forestry or natural resource conservation.

“It was a delightful surprise to have Donald Flinner walk into Kellett Hall and offer to establish a scholarship for students on our campus,” Missouri State-West Plains Director of Development Elizabeth Grisham said. “We were able to visit, discuss his interests and discover his passion for conservation and forestry. The university appreciates Mr. Flinner’s generosity and his desire to help students in this area achieve their dreams of pursuing an education.”

Flinner, who spent 20 years in the Army before retiring to the Willow Springs area, said the idea of establishing a scholarship was originally suggested by his attorney. “I really hadn’t thought about it at first,” he said, “but my attorney told me this would be a good way to help others.”

Originally from Kansas City, Flinner’s military service was spent primarily in the Far East, he said. When he retired, he decided to look for some land to begin an orchard, but those original plans fell through. Since then, he said, he has just been enjoying retirement.

Using his money to establish a scholarship is “one of those things you don’t really think about, at first,” Flinner said, but the more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. “I want to help others who want to go to college,” he explained.

According to terms of the scholarship agreement, the Donald Flinner Scholarship will be awarded annually to a part-time or full-time student pursing classes in agriculture, forestry or natural resource conservation, with preference given to a full-time student or a student pursuing the Associate of Applied Science in General Agriculture degree. Applicants must be a resident of Missouri State-West Plains’ seven-county primary service area.

For more information about this scholarship and other financial aid opportunities available to students at Missouri State-West Plains, call the Office of Financial Aid at 417-255-7243, or visit the office’s Web site at http://www.wp.missouristate.edu/FinAid/.

To find out how you can establish a scholarship at Missouri State-West Plains, contact the Office of Development at 417-255-7240.