2018 Robert H. Eckert Memorial Academic Scholarship Recipients
Our scholarship namesake, Bob Eckert, was a farmer and lifelong resident of Copley, Ohio, who supported the area’s agricultural community by serving as Secretary of the Summit County Farm Bureau Board of Trustees. In that role, which spanned “too many years to count,” he became known for the meticulously detailed handwritten minutes he would record during each meeting. In addition to his role as a farmer and an active member of the SCFB, Bob also drove a school bus for the Copley Public Schools for many years. His involvement with his charges went beyond safely delivering them to their intended destination each school day. He also hired many of these students to work on his farm after school hours and during summer vacations. There, he was a patient educator intent on teaching those who wanted to learn what he knew about farming, working the land, and animal husbandry. Not surprisingly, when Bob passed away, former students lined up outside the funeral home to pay their respects to the man who had been both their friend and teacher.
Not long after his passing, the SCFB Board of Trustees voted to create an academic scholarship program in honor of Bob’s memory. They established an award of $1,000 per academic year, with the option to renew for up to 4 years (provided minimum academic standards were maintained). Below are the individuals selected as our scholarship recipients, this year.
Victor Vogt is the son of Dr. James and Julie Vogt of Sharon Center, who graduated #1 in his Hoban High School class in May. He was active in Science Olympiad, Academic Challenge, the school band, and Cross Country. Victor inst
ituted a community gardening program for the residents of a low-income senior living facility, Callis Towers, for his Eagle Scout project. He has supported SCFB over the years by volunteering at Summit’s Plow to Chow, our Farmers’ Share Breakfast, and our Antique Museum during the fair. He has worked as a summer researcher at The University of Akron’s Polymer Engineering Department, as well as hay baling help on a local farm. He will be attending Texas A & M in the fall with Chemical Engineering as his intended field of study.
Seth Koellner, son of Bruce and Janel Koellner of Copley, is a 2017 graduate of Copley High School, who just completed his freshman year at Kent State University. He is pursuing a double major in Political Science and Business Management. Seth is an Eagle Scout, active in Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi Professional Fraternity, the Kent State College Republicans, and the Kent State German Club. He has supported SCFB by volunteering at Summit’s Plow to Chow and our Farmers’ Share Breakfast. Seth’s favorite farm experience has been making maple syrup every spring, for his entire life.
Jeremy Goodwin is receiving a one-time special $1,000.00 scholarship for his interest in agriculture. He is the son of Eric and Sharon Goodwin of Clinton and a 2014 graduate of Manchester High School and is currently a senior at the University of Northwestern Ohio, majoring in Agricultural Technology AND Diesel Technology. Jeremy is an Eagle Scout and form
er Summit County Fair King, who remains active in 4-H and working on his family farm. His love of tractors may have sparked his interest in agricultural mechanics but it was his experience traveling around Ohio assisting technicians in renovating, repairing, and building dairy farms, when he worked at a dairy farm supply company, that finally guided him into his field of study.