News

The President’s Partners at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) continue to offer their support to the Mid-America Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America (MAPVA) through a donation of $2000, which is matched by the MAPVA, for a total of $4000 to provide scholarships for veterans at NEO. The scholarship was established to support the River Bottom Annual Hunt for Disabled Veterans, which is held in Miami each year. Four $1000 scholarships are awarded and can be used for tuition, fees, books, as well as room and board. “The President’s Partners are dedicated to supporting NEO students through scholarships,” said Jennifer Walker, executive director of the NEO Development Foundation. “It is an honor to provide this financial support to students who have served our country.” “This program represents a beautiful partnership,” said Jack Dalrymple, president of the River Bottom Sportsmen, following last year’s event. “Our program is grassroots and we have over four hundred people sharing in a way that is on their heart. It has grown from more than just a community project into a multi-state effort of people doing what is right.”

NEO students Travis Knoblauch, Anastasiya Dunaway-Knight, Daniel Dunaway-Knight, and Ryan Pennington were selected as this year’s recipients. The students will be honored at a banquet held in conjunction with the annual hunt.

Travis Knoblauch is a General Studies major from Joplin, Mo. He served nine years in the Army and attained the rank of staff sergeant. During his service, he completed tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He and his wife, Nicole, have three children, Mckaylee, Cameron, and Korbin.

Anastasiya and Daniel Dunaway-Knight both served four years in the in the Marine Corps. Daniel is originally from Jay, Okla., and is a Business Administration major. He attained a rank of corporal during his service. Anastasiya is from York Have, Penn., and is an Art and Graphic Design major. She earned the rank of sergeant.

Ryan Pennington is a Pre-Vet major from Vinita, Okla. He served eleven years in the Army and attained the rank of sergeant. During his service, he completed four tours of duty in Iraq. He and his wife Tanya have five children, Tristan, Jayden, Jaxson, Olivia, and Elayna.

First preference of criteria for the scholarship is active and retired military personnel; second preference is given to dependents (spouse/children) of active and retired military personnel; and final preference is given to extended family members of active and retired military personnel. The recipient must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and be enrolled in at least 6 hours. Special consideration will be given to students enrolled in an online course that is less than 6 hours. For more information or to apply for the scholarship, please contact Walker in the NEO Foundation Office at 918-540-6250. (Photo from left: President’s Partner Mark Osborn, Bill Kokendoffer, Ryan Pennington, Bob Eads, Daniel Dunaway-Knight, Anastasiya Dunaway-Knight, Travis Knoblauch, and Jamie Williams)