MACOMB/Moline, IL – Four new students in Western Illinois University’s School of Agriculture have been awarded Growing Agricultural Science Teachers (GAST) scholarships to begin their education at Western.

The scholarships, based on financial need, are awarded to incoming freshmen or transfer students who have declared agricultural education as their major. Each of the students began classes at WIU in Fall 2022.

The four students awarded scholarships include:

• Avery Isringhausen, of Vandalia, IL, who was awarded a $1,500 scholarship

• Laurel Keyt, a transfer student from Hanna City, IL, who was awarded a $2,000 scholarship

• Noah Bennett, of Monmouth, IL, who was awarded a $500 scholarship

• Lily Preston, of White Hall, IL, who was awarded a $1,000 scholarship

WIU School of Agriculture Director Andy Baker said the money comes from an annual grant he applies for through the Illinois State Board of Education. The money is designated for recruitment and retention purposes.

For more about the WIU School of Agriculture, visit wiu.edu/ag.

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Sean Leary is an author, director, artist, musician, producer and entrepreneur who has been writing professionally since debuting at age 11 in the pages of the Comics Buyers Guide. An honors graduate of the University of Southern California masters program, he has written over 50 books including the best-sellers The Arimathean, Every Number is Lucky to Someone and We Are All Characters.