WEST PLAINS, Mo.– A local couple’s desire to help students from Ozark County has led to a new endowed scholarship at Missouri State University-West Plains.

Jack and Inez Pahlmann, West Plains, recently established the Pahlmann Family Endowed Scholarship to help students from Ozark County pursue their educational goals.

“My wife, Inez, is originally from Ozark County, and we thought it would be nice to establish a scholarship that would benefit students from that area,” Jack Pahlmann said in a recent interview.  “We also wanted to support the campus because we know it makes a difference in the lives of area residents.”

According to terms of the agreement, the scholarship will be awarded annually to a full-time student who is a graduate of an Ozark County high school and has maintained a 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale during his or her high school career.  If there is no eligible student from Ozark County, the scholarship can be awarded to a graduate of a Howell County high school, the agreement stipulates.  This year, the scholarship was awarded to Kenny Hannaford of Gainesville, who is studying law enforcement, university officials said.

“It’s especially gratifying when a civic-minded couple like the Pahlmanns realize the financial needs of our students and are willing to help,” said Missouri State-West Plains Director of Development Elizabeth Grisham.  “We greatly appreciate their interest and support.”

Pahlman, who serves on the West Plains City Council, said both he and his wife, a local realtor, have been impressed with the growth of the campus since its founding in 1963.  “Having seen the campus grow to its current size during the time line since its establishment as a residence center is tremendous,” he explained.

For more information about 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.