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Mr. Ronnie D. Eads recently donated $60,000 to the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) Development Foundation to endow a scholarship in the name of his late wife Dr. Janet (Marlow) Eads and himself. “We are so grateful for Mr. Eads generosity to NEO”, said Jennifer Walker, NEO Foundation Executive Director. “As longtime educators, the Eads were strong advocates of a college degree. As an endowed gift, this scholarship will benefit students for generations.”
Dr. Eads graduated from Wyandotte High School in the class of 1961 and later attended NEO. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Pittsburg State University and a Ph.D. from Kansas State University. She dedicated her professional career to higher education and retired as Dean of Students Services from Labette Community College in 2001.
After graduating from Commerce High School in 1958, Mr. Eads began his college education at NEO, where he was an officer in ROTC. Following his graduation in 1960, he served in the Navy before pursuing a bachelor’s, and later master’s, and education specialist (Ed.S.) degree from Pittsburg State University. With a teaching career spanning 33 years, Mr. Eads devoted 23 years at Labette Community College. “It is important to create opportunities for students, especially students who may not have the resources to go to college,” said Mr. Eads. “You have to have a heart for giving, because education was very important to both Janet and myself.” 
The Ronnie D. and Dr. Janet (Marlow) Eads Scholarship will be directed toward students who demonstrate financial need in the northeast Oklahoma or southeast Kansas area, with preference given to Commerce and Wyandotte graduates. It is also his preference that applicants be majoring in education, business, or industrial technology/engineering. Based on market returns, the scholarship will provide $1,000 scholarship to one or more students each year. Mr. Eads established the scholarship in February to commemorate his wife’s birthday. For more information about the Ronnie D. and Dr. Janet (Marlow) Eads Scholarship, contact Jennifer Walker at Jennifer.hessee@neo.edu. (Top Photo: Ronnie Eads and his wife, Dr. Janet Eads. Lower Photo: Jennifer Walker, Ronnie Eads, and President Kyle Stafford)
