First-Ever Gregg Alexander Memorial Scholarship Awarded
In August of 2022 we lost a deeply valued Co-Alliance Board member, local farmer, friend, and neighbor. Gregg Alexander was a life-long farmer and incredibly passionate about the rural communities we serve.
Today, Gregg’s legacy and heart of service lives on in his home area because of the work he did. Upon his untimely passing, his family began the Gregg Alexander Memorial Scholarship. Recently the first-ever recipient was awarded this scholarship and we were eager to catch up with the Alexander family and the recipient, Ms. Allyson (Ally) Webster.
Joni Alexander, who operates the farm following her beloved husband’s death, talks about how the family came to the decision to create such a memorial.
“As a family, we met in the hall of the hospital trying to come to terms with the news and the what next. In our darkness, an idea was born. We decided to try and create a scholarship in Gregg’s name,” she recalls. She reached out to Co-Alliance CEO Kevin Still and without hesitation he was on board and ready to help. He put Co-Alliance’s wheels in motion.
“Gregg so enjoyed serving as a director for Co-Alliance. Words cannot express the Alexander family’s appreciation for Co-Alliance’s work in organizing, supporting, and publicizing the scholarship,” she continued.
“We wanted something positive to come out of Gregg’s passing, something good to dwell on, and I feel like we met our goal. Gregg had a passion for farming. He loved educating others on his passion for all things agriculture. The scholarship is a way to continue Gregg’s passion.
Gregg had an uncanny way to find a positive and some sort of humor in any and all situations. The scholarship is our positive. I’m guessing if Gregg had his choice the scholarship would not bear his name,” she admits. “He liked to fly more under the radar. As his family, this scholarship makes us so proud.”
While keeping the wheels turning on harvest 2023, Joni continued on from the cab of a tractor, “We were so grateful to be able to attend the scholarship dinner at Purdue University and meet the first recipient. We sat with Allyson and enjoyed visiting with her. We found out she is majoring in Ag Education. We felt like it was so fitting that the first recipient was going to educate people about agriculture. She is a wonderful young lady. We wish her all the best.”
Because of Gregg’s deep commitment to agriculture and the place he called home, recipients of this $2,000 scholarship must meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in Purdue University’s College of Agriculture
- Be classified as a senior at the University
- First Preference is then given to students who have graduated from Tipton, Tri-Central, or Clinton Central High Schools
- Second preference is then given to students who are residents of Clinton or Tipton Counties
Allyson Webster, the first-ever recipient of the Gregg Alexander Memorial Scholarship, grew up in Clinton County on a small farm where they raise livestock and have a forage operation. She was a COVID-19 Senior, graduating from Clinton Central in 2020. Finding her passions in 4-H and FFA, Allyson began to pursue a career in Agriculture Education through Purdue University.
Currently, she is finishing her last semester on campus before heading south to Hope, Indiana to begin student teaching. She often gets asked, "Ally, where are you headed after student teaching?" She admits she has no clue. What she does know is that she will be teaching agriculture in Indiana and hopes to buy land where she can begin raising her own livestock.
We connected with Allyson after she received this scholarship.
“Receiving the Gregg Alexander Memorial Scholarship has taken the financial burden off my back, allowing me to flourish as a student. I am able to fully direct all attention to my school load and embrace the higher education Purdue University provides to all students. After meeting with the Alexander family, I could tell that they had a passion within the agriculture industry and what family meant to them. I am beyond blessed to carry on Gregg's devotion to agriculture and to be the first recipient of this scholarship,” she said.
Pictured at the scholarship ceremony are Joe South, Elizabeth South, Legal Counsel for Co-Alliance, Allyson Webster, Joni Alexander and Kiersten Baugher (Gregg and Joni’s daughter)
We invite you to learn more about Gregg’s life of service through this blog and podcast.
If you would like to contribute to the Gregg Alexander Memorial Scholarship fund, please make checks payable to Co-Alliance Cooperative, Inc.
Please write in the memo Attn: Board Scholarship – Gregg Alexander. Mail to Co-Alliance Cooperative, Inc., Board Scholarship Fund – Gregg Alexander, 770 N. High School Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46214.