To honor the generosity of the late Dewain Brucker, Agriculture Department Chair Julie Weathers (right) presented his mother, Clara, with a plaque recognizing his significant gift during Southeast's Annual Agriculture Honors Banquet.
Dewain Brucker loved all things agriculture, so much so that he willed his entire estate to the Southeast Missouri University Foundation so Southeast agriculture students can pursue the same career path.
Although Dewain did not attend Southeast, choosing instead to work with his father on their family farm in Chaffee, Missouri, he understood the value of education. His mother, Clara Brucker, had once suggested that he consider leaving the farm to the University to provide scholarships for future students. Dewain took her advice.
In August of 2018, Dewain passed away and Southeast was notified of his generous gift. After completion of the trust administration, the Dewain Brucker Scholarship Fund was established in the spring of 2019 to fund scholarships for Southeast agriculture students for many years to come.
The news of this endowed scholarship was recently shared with the faculty, staff and students in the Agriculture Department during Southeast's Annual Agriculture Honors Banquet. Department Chair Julie Weathers honored Dewain's generosity by presenting Clara with a plaque recognizing her son's significant gift. Dewain's family and friends joined the Southeast family in honoring Dewain's foresight and generosity.
"Dewain loved agriculture and animals, and he left a wonderful legacy to our department," Dr. Weathers says. "Through his generosity, generations of students will find the financial support they need to pursue their higher education goals as they prepare to launch successful careers in agriculture. On behalf of the department, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for this extraordinary gift. To commemorate this extraordinary gift, Dewain's photo of his farm will hang in our department's office."
The Dewain Brucker Scholarship will be awarded to students pursuing a degree in a field related to the production, preservation and management of farmland and animal husbandry. First preference will be given to students from Scott County and the Southeast Missouri region. Foresight and planning allowed Dewain to have the peace of mind that his hard work in caring for the land and livestock would continue to benefit the agricultural community through education. Thanks to his generosity, future generations of students at Southeast Missouri State will gain knowledge, acquire experience and engage in research so that they can follow in his footsteps.
If you're interested in leaving a legacy of giving at SEMO, contact Southeast Missouri University Foundation at 573-651-2332 or plannedgiving@semo.edu.