2020 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.
Frank Mularcik
Frank Mularcik, the son of Paula and Bradley Mularcik, is a 4.5 gpa senior at Copley High School. Urban farming in his blood, he grew up on a small farm with pigs, chickens, bees and a large vegetable garden, even making maple syrup annually. Frank has been involved in many school and community activities; Captain of the Academic Challenge Team, Marching Band, National Honor Society, member of a German Brass Band, altar server at Guardian Angels Church and an Eagle Boy Scout. He has also volunteered at many Summit County Farm Bureau events; the Farmers’ Share Breakfast for many years, all the Plow to Chows, and helped supervise the Summit County Farm Bureau Antique Museum during the Summit County Fair. Frank, a National Merit Semifinalist that scored a perfect 36 on his ACT, intends to study at the University of Cincinnati for a B.S. in Computer Engineering and a MBA.
Landry McVicker
Landry McVicker is the daughter of Colleen and JW McVicker. She is a 4.2 gpa senior at St. Vincent St. Mary High School that is involved in many school and community activities; National Honor Society, Varsity Cross Country Team, Marching & Concert Band, Theatre, Junior Leadership Akron, 4-H, Church Choir, Vacation Bible School and an Appalachia Service Project. Landry has volunteered at numerous Summit County Farm Bureau events; the Farmers’ Share Breakfasts, 4-H Pancake Breakfast, all the Plow to Chows as well as many “jobs” at the Summit County Farm Bureau Antique Museum – cleaning, planting flowers and supervising during the Summit County Fair. A fifth generation family member of an apple orchard legacy, Landry has pruned, picked, sorted but mainly helped in the store interacting with the customers. She participates in equine 4-H activities on one of her families’ horses that she cares for at their home, daily; feeding am & pm, brushing, cleaning stalls and so much more. Landry’s intended field of study is Education at the University of Dayton.
