Marilyn Roudabush Gearhart Education Scholarship 

The Marilyn Roudabush Gearhart Education Scholarship is awarded annually to a Pleasant Valley graduate pursuing a degree in education in a four year public university in Iowa or Truman State University.

Marilyn received a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree at Truman State University in 1968 and a Masters of Education from Texas A & M (Commerce) in 1979. She taught all grades from 3 year olds to junior high students during her 32 years of teaching in Texas. While teaching science to 7-8 graders, Marilyn also enjoyed coaching girls basketball.

Marilyn and her husband Burt have a daughter, Senator Chris Cournoyer and four grandchildren: Bennett, Sydney, Tanner and Chase...all receiving their education from PV schools.

It is Marilyn’s hope that her scholar recipients will be inspired to become dedicated educators of young people, always encouraging “the how to learn” and at the same time nurturing creativity throughout their lives.

Criteria to apply:

• Student will attend an accredited 4-year college or university in the State of Iowa or Truman State University with plans to pursue a degree in Education.
• Student will have an overall GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
• Student will submit one letter of recommendation

Applications will be evaluated on the following:

• Established future goals and plans to achieve them
• Self-motivation in completing challenging activities

Essay Question:

• In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us why you've chosen your field of study.
• In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us what your plans are after your post-secondary education is complete.
• In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us about one of the following: your ability to problem solve, work with others, and/or your dedication to the community.
• In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us how you've overcome an obstacle.
• In less than 250 words (1700 characters), please tell us anything else about yourself you think the selection committee would like to know.