Robert H. Eckart Memorial Academic Scholarship
A number of years ago, the SCFB Board of Trustees established a memorial scholarship in honor of Bob Eckart, who was a farmer who supported the 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, where he was a patient educator intent on teaching those who wanted to learn what he knew about farming, working the land, and animal husbandry. This scholarship awards $1,000.00 per academic year, with the option to renew for up to four years (provided minimum academic standards are maintained).
Logan Luther, son of Jennifer and John Luther of Richfield, is a Revere High School senior attending Cuyahoga Valley Career Center in power equipment technology. Logan, the class representative at Ohio Skills USA regional competition and class president of the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center power equipment technology class, received the Skills USA Statesman Award. He spends his time when not in school, working on the family farm, as well as at Imperial Truck Services. He has volunteered for Summit County Farm Bureau with cleanup at the Farmers’ Share Breakfast. Logan plans to attend The Ohio State University, ATI and get a degree in Livestock Management. Logan said, “working alongside my family, being around the animals, producing food has led to me wanting this in some form as my career”.
Dean Hartong Memorial Scholarship
Last year, the SCFB Board of Trustees made the decision to award a Dean Hartong Memorial Scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year. Dean Hartong, Summit County Farm Bureau’s FIRST Distinguished Service Award Recipient, was always willing to share his knowledge; one on one, or in a formal setting at the many Farm Council meetings, as well as at the SCFB Antiques Museum at the fairgrounds. A farmer for over 70 years, Dean (along with his son) operated the last dairy farm in Summit County. He served in every capacity on the SCFB Board of Trustees for 50 years. For that reason, SCFB Board of Trustees decided to honor his contribution to agriculture with a memorial scholarship, after his passing in January 2023. This scholarship is a “one-time payment” of $1,000.00 and is to be used for educational or related expenses.
Madeline Binder, daughter of Sarah and David Binder of Richfield is a Revere High School senior with a 4.44 GPA. She has earned multiple academic accolades and honors; National Merit Scholarship Corporation Commended Student Recognition, AP Scholar Award, Revere High School Honor Roll (each semester), College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award, National Society of High School Scholars, Scholastics Art and Writing Awards Honorable Mention. Maddie works part- time at a local horse boarding facility learning about equine management and has volunteered with the Bath Pony Club and Camp Cheerful Therapeutic Horsemanship. She plans to attend the University of Kentucky, majoring in Natural Resources and Environmental Science. She feels, “agriculture extends to all aspects of my life, acting as a focus regarding both my academic and personal aspirations to give back to the community and conserve the environment’s natural resources.”
Mularcik Family Welding Scholarship
In 2012, long time SCFB member, Mr. Brad Mularcik of Copley, began teaching the Welding Merit Badge for the Boy Scouts of America. A self-taught hobby welder, Mr. Mularcik believed that he knew enough about welding to introduce kids to it. Teaching the merit badge caused him to become aware of the skills gap in America and the need for more young people to enter the skilled trades, particularly welding. Despite having a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mr. Mularcik believes that a college degree is not the only path to success, that there is too little attention paid to the skilled trades as a career choice for young people and decided to put his money where his mouth is by offering a $1,000.00 scholarship to help young people of Summit County Ohio who are seeking a career in welding.
The 2024 Mularcik Welding Scholarship for Summit County is being awarded to Nicholas McDuffie. Nicholas is graduating from Coventry High School / Portage Lakes Career Center in the Welding Technology Program. He is a member of the National Technical Honors Society. Nicholas will be attending the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology. In response to the question about work ethic on the scholarship application, he stated: “I think work ethic shows how motivated the person is and how fast they can produce something. At my workplace we have standards per hour. I strive to get more than the standard and produce the fastest I can. I have been able to finish multiple jobs daily. I also like my job and love to work as fast as I can so I can stay busy and on task.”