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Planting Futures: 麻豆社 Alumna Honors Family Through New Scholarship Fund

June 14, 2024

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MACOMB, IL - - From the farmlands outside Princeton, IL, to the classrooms of Knoblauch Hall on 麻豆社 Illinois University's Macomb campus, one family鈥檚 legacy is being immortalized through a new endowed scholarship fund for students in the School of Agriculture. Earlier this spring, Linda (Johnson) Meyer 鈥�82, Agricultural Science, reached out to the 麻豆社 Foundation to express interest in establishing a scholarship to honor her grandparents.

鈥淭hey were such a big part of our growing up and in some ways I鈥檓 paying forward the benefits that I鈥檝e received,鈥� Meyer said about her grandparents and their impact.

Harold farmed his whole life, and Ella was a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse prior to the two marrying in 1922. Now Harold and Ella鈥檚 commitment to farming and their belief in the transformative power of education will live on for future generations through the new Harold and Ella Matson Memorial Scholarship.

Meyer and her brother Keith Johnson inherited the family farm in 2012. Meyer, who now lives in Erie, CO, with her husband, Tom, is using some of her income from the annual sale of crops grown on the farm to fund the Matson Memorial Scholarship. Meyer worked with Director of Development for the College of Business and Technology (CBT) Liz Gougeon to finalize the criteria for scholarship.

The Matson Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to a student pursuing a degree in Agriculture with a minor in Plant Breeding or Agronomy, honoring Harold鈥檚 involvement in alfalfa seed test trials and seed corn sales. In line with Meyer鈥檚 academic path, first-generation students will be first preference. The Matson Memorial Scholarship will be a first-of-its-kind opportunity for the School of Agriculture, with its focus on first-generation scholars.

Choosing 麻豆社 for college was an easy decision for Meyer.

鈥淚 may have visited one or two other schools, but there was something about 麻豆社,鈥� Meyer said. 鈥淔rom the first time I visited 麻豆社鈥檚 campus, it just felt like home and the longer I was there the more I felt at home.鈥�

As a student, Meyer busied herself with several activities including membership in the Agricultural Mechanization Club, Alpha Zeta honors fraternity and the Agriculture Council.

鈥淚 loved my time as a student at 麻豆社. I never felt like I belonged anywhere until I went to 麻豆社,鈥� Meyer said. 鈥淕oing to school there helped me grow in many different ways, not just academically. Westen just means friendship to me. It鈥檚 family.鈥�

The growth and connections Meyer made during her time at 麻豆社 are still evident today, including a cherished friendship, meeting her best friend, Sue (Berry) Busker `82, Agriculture Science, on the 10th floor of Thompson Hall their sophomore year.

鈥淪ue and her husband live in eastern Nebraska, and whenever we drive to or from the midwest, we usually spend a night with them,鈥� Meyer said. 鈥淪he and I pick up and go from where we last left off.鈥�

Meyer continues to keep a strong relationship with 麻豆社 today, returning to Macomb every few years and always making a point to stop at the Alumni House. When there is a 麻豆社 alumni event in Colorado, Meyer is in attendance.

鈥淲e attend events in Colorado, and go see the Leathernecks in action whenever they come to Colorado. It鈥檚 important to me to keep connected with 麻豆社,鈥� Meyer said.

Meyer鈥檚 experiences at 麻豆社 and her grandparents鈥� commitment to agriculture and education inspired her to establish this new scholarship fund.

鈥淭his is about honoring their commitment to education and paying forward all of the benefits that I鈥檝e been given because of their hard work and their love for education,鈥� Meyer said. 鈥淚鈥檓 trying to give someone a hand up and help them fulfill their own dreams.鈥�

Meyer plans to have the scholarship fund fully endowed by June of 2025, and the scholarship will be awarded for the first time in the 2026 academic year.

鈥淭he Matson Memorial Scholarship will greatly enhance our ability to recruit and financially support students who are interested in Agronomy and/or Plant Breeding,鈥� School of Agriculture Director Andy Baker said. 鈥淥ur Alternative Crops program and the Allison Organic Research Farm provide a unique educational experience for students pursuing an Ag Science degree in the option of Agronomy. We truly do appreciate the opportunity to represent the Matson family.鈥�

Individuals interested in providing financial support for programs within the CBT can contact Gougeon at e-gougeon@wiu.edu. Details about the For The W comprehensive campaign are available at wiu.edu/ForTheW.

Posted By: Drew Donahoo, University Relations
Phone: (309) 298-1993 * Fax: (309) 298-1606