John S. McVickar Scholarship Fund

The Dr. John S. McVickar Scholarship Fund was established in Spring 1989 by friends and colleagues of Dr. McVickar to honor him for his services rendered to the growth and development of the Western Illinois University Department of Agriculture.

Dr. McVickar started his professional life as an elementary school teacher. From 1932 to 1936, John served as principal of Cross Roads School, in Lawrence County, IL (where he was born and raised).

He continued his education at Illinois State Norman and at the University of Illinois, where he earned not only a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Botany, but also his doctoral degree- a Ph. D. in Agronomy with a minor in Geology and Botany. John later attended Michigan State University, where in 1953 he earned a Master of Science degree in Conservation, in which he designed an erosion control sampling method that led to three publications. A firm believer and staunch supporter of education, John endowed numerous scholarships at five Midwestern colleges and universities.

John was head of the Agriculture Department at Western Illinois University for twenty-four years and Professor of Agriculture and Conservation. John also served on the Illinois Board of Agriculture Advisors. He was affiliated with Alpha Zeta, Gamma Alpha, Gamma Sigma Delta, Sigma Zi, Alpha Tau Omega, the American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, Soil and Water Conservation Society of America, American Association of University Professors, and the National Education Association. He was a Farm Bureau member and served on the Agricultural Advisory Board under two Illinois governors.

John retired from WIU in 1971, and returned to his 323 acre family farm in Sumner, Illinois. He passed away on January 19, 2003 at the age of 93.

CRITERIA:
 Must be an incoming freshman or transfer student who plans to pursue an Agriculture major in the field of Plant Science or Soil Conservation
 Must be a resident of Illinois
 Minimum ACT score of 20