Paul VanGiesen Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is given in memory of Paul Robert Van Giesen who passed away in December 2009. Paul was an advocate for children and a firm believer that advanced education was an integral part of a student's chance for living a successful, happy, and well-rounded life. To that end, a scholarship will be given each year, as long as memorial funds are available, to a MHS graduating senior who will pursue advanced education. The Marshfield Public Schools Foundation administers this $500 award - payable after completion of the first semester, upon verification of completion with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or above. The award is non-renewable.
Paul graduated from West Plains High School in 1963. He earned a B.S. in Music Education from
Missouri State University. After receiving his degree, he served his country in the U.S. Army for four years, including assignments at Schofield Barracks, HI, Vietnam, and Arlington Hall, VA before leaving the armed forces with the rank of captain.
After completing his duty assignments in the U.S. Army, he returned to Missouri where he furthered his education with a Master's Degree in Education Administration from Drury University and a Specialist
Degree in Education Administration from Missouri State University. During the pursuit of these degrees, Paul taught choral music at Conway High School, taught elementary music and served as Junior High Assistant Principal, and Principal at Elkland Elementary for the Marshfield R-1 School District. He was Elementary and High School Principal at Niangua before returning to Marshfield where he was Assistant Principal at both Hubble and Webster Elementary and Principal at Webster Elementary before ending his career in education as Principal at the newly constructed Shook Elementary.
Upon retirement from the educational field, he worked as a real estate appraiser for the Anne Foster Appraisal Company and as part of the Event Staff for the Springfield Cardinals and at JQH Arena at Missouri State University. Being an avid sports fan (especially the St. Louis cardinals), getting to work at sporting events was "right up his alley."
Paul was an advocate for children and a firm believer that advanced education was an integral part of a
student's chance for living a successful, happy, and well-rounded life. To that end, a scholarship will be given each year, as long as memorial funds are available, to a MHS graduating senior who will pursue advanced education.
Paul graduated from West Plains High School in 1963. He earned a B.S. in Music Education from
Missouri State University. After receiving his degree, he served his country in the U.S. Army for four years, including assignments at Schofield Barracks, HI, Vietnam, and Arlington Hall, VA before leaving the armed forces with the rank of captain.
After completing his duty assignments in the U.S. Army, he returned to Missouri where he furthered his education with a Master's Degree in Education Administration from Drury University and a Specialist
Degree in Education Administration from Missouri State University. During the pursuit of these degrees, Paul taught choral music at Conway High School, taught elementary music and served as Junior High Assistant Principal, and Principal at Elkland Elementary for the Marshfield R-1 School District. He was Elementary and High School Principal at Niangua before returning to Marshfield where he was Assistant Principal at both Hubble and Webster Elementary and Principal at Webster Elementary before ending his career in education as Principal at the newly constructed Shook Elementary.
Upon retirement from the educational field, he worked as a real estate appraiser for the Anne Foster Appraisal Company and as part of the Event Staff for the Springfield Cardinals and at JQH Arena at Missouri State University. Being an avid sports fan (especially the St. Louis cardinals), getting to work at sporting events was "right up his alley."
Paul was an advocate for children and a firm believer that advanced education was an integral part of a
student's chance for living a successful, happy, and well-rounded life. To that end, a scholarship will be given each year, as long as memorial funds are available, to a MHS graduating senior who will pursue advanced education.