News

2025-26 Fairall Scholarship Recipients: front row from left to right: Bayleigh Tompkins, Kaylie Andrews, Delaney Ryan, and Isabelle Hendricks. Back row from left to right: Kelley Fifer, Fairall awarding committee member, Johnathon Remster, Brandon Mathern and Cora Hall.

MARSHALLTOWN – Marshalltown Community College Foundation and the Fairall Memorial Scholarship committee celebrated with student recipients and their families the selection for one of MCC’s most prestigious scholarships. Because members of their families chose to serve in the Armed Forces, these MCC students were eligible and eventually selected as recipients of the Loyal S. and Helen Fairall Memorial Scholarships for 2025-26.

The committee awarded seven scholarships to the following recipients: Kaylie Andrews, Cora Hall, Brandon Mathern, Jonathon Remster, Delaney Ryan, Bayleigh Tompkins, and Isabelle Hendricks. The total value of the seven scholarships will total $42,000.

For the 23rd year, the selection committee awarded the scholarships in memory of Loyal S. and Helen Fairall. In all, 141 MCC students have received the Fairall Memorial Scholarships, something the Fairall family believes would have made Loyal very proud. Loyal served in leadership positions for the American Legion Post #46 and was Commander in 1956. The award honors all of the men and women who are or have served their country so faithfully through the years.

Applicants for the Fairall Memorial Scholarship must meet criteria of having family members who served in the Armed Forces of the United States. Members of the American Legion Scholarship Committee, Kelley Fairall Fifer, Vic Hellberg and Bob Miller, selected the students after carefully evaluating about two dozen applications.

Kaylie Andrews – Kaylie, daughter of Brian and Tarah Bowles, is a 2025 graduate of West Marshall High School. She plans to pursue a career in nursing and enters her program with a 4.0 GPA. In high school, Kaylie was actively involved in volleyball, cross country, football cheerleading, girls wrestling, soccer, golf, wrestling cheerleading, and served as a wrestling manager. She is proud of her family’s military heritage, both of her great-grandfathers served in the U.S. Navy. Mervin Morgan served in World War II and earned the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon, and Keith Cooney served in the Korean War and received the Good Conduct Award.

Cora Hall – Cora, daughter of Christopher Hoeksema and Emily Hall, is a 2025 graduate of GMG High School with a 3.4 GPA. She was active in iJAG, band, choir, art club, photography club, Spanish club, National Honor Society, and Tri-M (the music honor society). Cora plans to pursue a degree in Nursing and aims to transfer to the University of Iowa to complete her BSN.  She is proud of her grandfather, Gary Hall, who served five years in the U.S. Army and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Isabelle Hendricks – Isabelle, daughter of Jeremy and Amy Hendricks, is a 2024 graduate of East Marshall High School, where she earned a 3.49 GPA. She recently completed her first year at MCC with a 3.13 GPA and is pursuing a degree in education, with plans to transfer to a four-year university to earn her bachelor’s in early childhood education. In high school, Isabelle was involved in volleyball and cross country. She is also an active member of Journey Church.  Isabelle comes from a proud military family. Her grandfather, Allen Doran, served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1976, and her great-grandfather, Donald Cavaness, served two years in the U.S. Air Force. Both received multiple commendations and medals for their service.

Brandon Mathern – Brandon, son of Ryan and Angie Mathern, is a 2025 graduate of Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School, where he earned a 3.3 GPA. Throughout his high school career, Brandon was a dedicated student-athlete, participating in basketball, baseball, and golf.  Brandon particularly excelled in basketball, earning First Team All-Conference honors. He played a key role in leading his team to the State Basketball Tournament three out of his four years, a significant accomplishment that reflects his talent, hard work, and leadership on the court. Brandon comes from a proud military family. His great-grandfather, Dale Mathern, served in the U.S. Army, his great-grandfather, John Mast, served in the U.S. Navy, and his great-grandfather, Harold Skramovsky, served in the U.S. Marines. All were recognized for their service with numerous commendations and medals.

Johnathon Remster – Johnathon, son of John and Lynnette Remster, is a 2017 graduate of Marshalltown High School. He is married to Sarah, and together they are the proud parents of two sons, Riley and Theodore. Johnathon’s journey of service and education began early—he enlisted in the U.S. Army while still enrolled in high school, demonstrating a deep commitment to his country from a young age. During his military career, Johnathon served honorably and received several prestigious awards, including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal, among others. Johnathon is continuing to build on that foundation as a student at MCC, where he maintains a 3.92 GPA. Military service runs deep in Johnathon’s family. His father, John Remster, and grandfather, Raymond Remster, also served in the armed forces, creating a proud legacy of commitment and sacrifice. 

Delaney Ryan – Delaney, daughter of Anthony and Michelle Ryan, is a 2025 graduate of East Marshall High School, where she earned a strong 3.75 GPA. Delaney has participated in several clubs and sports, demonstrating her diverse interests and leadership abilities. Notably, she earned NICL Academic All-Conference honors for golf during her senior year, Additionally, she has been an active member of the National Honor Society since her sophomore year, reflecting her commitment to scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Delaney is also proud of her family’s military heritage. Her great-grandfather, Joseph Hovell, served two years in the U.S. Navy, while her grandfather, Dave Lenz, served in the U.S. Army. Both men received numerous commendations and medals, inspiring Delaney with their examples of dedication and service.

Bayleigh Tompkins – Bailey is the daughter of Jack Tompkins and Casey Sirdoreus. She is a 2023 graduate of West Marshall High School. During her time at MCC, since she graduated from High School, she has maintained a 3.36 GPA. Bayleigh has a giving heart and has volunteered at Big Brothers Big Sisters where she finds fulfillment or satisfaction a great job in being able to help those around her. Bayleigh is proud of her grandpa, Jack Tompkins, for his military service in the U.S. Army where he earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Expert M16 award.

Applications for the 2026-27 scholarship will be available from the MCC Foundation Office, 3700 S. Center St., Marshalltown IA 50158 and on the Foundation’s website after Jan. 1, 2026. Completed applications with supporting documents will be due to the Foundation Office by March 28, 2026.

Creating a memorial scholarship is one way to establish a legacy and financially assist MCC students and future students with their education. Anyone interested in learning more about starting a scholarship at MCC can contact Elizabeth Wise, MCC Foundation Director, at (641) 844-5747.