CGSC Foundation announces 2023 Scholarship Program winners

The CGSC Foundation announces the winners of its 2023 competitive scholarship program.

“I am pleased to announce that our 2023 CGSCF Alumni Association Scholarship awards program was our largest to date, said CGSC Foundation President and CEO Rod Cox. “We doubled the size of this year’s applicant pool and have been able, thanks to your support and our partnership with both Park University and the friends of Col. Stephen E. “Brownie” Brown, to provide scholarships to seven high school and five college students.”

One $5,000 Col. Stephen E. “Brownie” Brown scholarship was awarded to Madeleine Morgado, a senior at Lyme-Old Lyme High School in Old Lyme, Connecticut. Four $1,000 scholarships were awarded, two to high school seniors and two to undergraduate college students: Andrew Skinner, a senior at North Scott Senior High School in Eldridge, Iowa; John Brock, a senior at Alexandria City High School in Alexandria, Virginia; Kyle Skinner, a sophomore at Iowa State University; and Annie Krompecher, a senior at the University of South Carolina. Four $500 scholarship were awarded, two to high school seniors and two to undergraduate college students: Emma Shuey, a senior at Staunton High School in Staunton, Virginia; Bailey Preston, a senior at Jenks High School in Jenks, Oklahoma; Travis Doyle, a sophomore at The University of Texas at San Antonio; and Aubrie Penfield, a senior sophomore at Oklahoma State University. And three $5,000 Park University scholarships were awarded by CGSC Foundation partner Park University: Jessica Malek, a senior at Edina High School in Edina, Minnesota; Caleb Tolbert, a senior at Cyberlynx Correspondence; and Tyler Malek, a junior at University of Nebraska Lincoln.

Colonel Stephen E. “Brownie” Brown Scholarship Winner

Madeleine Morgado is a senior at Lyme-Old Lyme High School in Old Lyme, Connecticut. She will graduate in May 2023 and will attend Northeastern University to study health sciences and psychology. She chose this field because it allows her to pursue a career in physical therapy, and she chose Northeastern University because it has a lot to offer both academically and in preparing her for life in the “real world.” Morgado is the recipient of multiple academic awards, a student athlete, and an active participant in multiple school groups and volunteer organizations. She is a passionate member of the Environment and Community Service Club, as well as the Athletic Leadership Council. Morgado’s alumni sponsor is her father, Col. Andrew Morgado, director of the School of Advanced Military Studies, and a 2005 graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and 2006 graduate of the School of Advanced Military Studies. She plans to use this scholarship to help pay for tuition and other expenses to further her education.

High School Winners

Andrew Skinner is a senior at North Scott Senior High School in Eldridge, Iowa. He will graduate in May 2023 and will attend Iowa State University to study entrepreneurship. He chose Iowa State University because he loves the campus environment and because his father and siblings have also attended the university. He describes himself as a car enthusiast, and hopes to one day have a career in the automotive industry. He is also a talented musician, playing the bass guitar in school and church bands. Skinner’s alumni sponsor is his father, Kerry Skinner, a 2012 alumnus of the CGSC/CGSC Foundation National Security Roundtable Series. He plans to use this scholarship to help pay for tuition.

John Brock is a senior at Alexandria City High School in Alexandria, Virginia. He will graduate in May 2023 and will attend the University of Texas at Austin to study Political Communication and Plan II Honors. He chose this field and university because he wants to pursue a law degree and eventually write legislation to combat the opioid epidemic. He is a committed member of the debate team, and looks forward to going to Nationals later this spring. He also enjoys sailing with his family. Brock’s alumni sponsor is his father, Lt. Col. John W. Brock, a 2016 graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and 2017 graduate of the School of Advanced Military Studies. He plans to use this scholarship to help pay for tuition.

Emma Shuey is a senior at Staunton High School in Staunton, Virginia. She will graduate in May 2023 and will attend Virginia Wesleyan University to study Psychology or Social Work. She chose those fields because she would like to be a therapeutic foster care worker in the future. She is a student athlete and an active volunteer in her community, volunteering at various children’s summer camps. She is also an intern at a local elementary school. Shuey’s alumni sponsor is her grandfather, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Theodore G. Shuey, Jr., a 1987 graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. She plans to use this scholarship to help pay for tuition and other expenses.

Bailey Preston is a senior at Jenks High School in Jenks, Oklahoma, and will graduate in May 2023. She is member of multiple academic clubs, as well as 4H and Scouting BSA. She is the Secretary and Community Service Chair of the Technology Student Association, and the co-captain and Fundraising Chair of the Robotics – STEAM Team for 4H Post 26. She is also an active volunteer for multiple community service organizations, and currently serves as the Ecology Lodge Instructor at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. Preston’s alumni sponsor is her father, Col. Scott S. Preston, a 2008 graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. She plans to use this scholarship to help pay for tuition and other expenses.

Jessica Malek is a senior at Edina High School in Edina, Minnesota. She will graduate in May 2023 and is active in a student mentorship program. She is interested in studying public health because she wants to help make a difference in her community. She’s an active volunteer with community healthcare organizations, and enjoys volunteering and cross country. Malek’s alumni sponsor is her grandfather, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Robert P. Walters, a 1999 graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Her $5,000 Park University scholarship is sponsored by Park University in Parkville, Missouri.

Caleb Tolbert is a senior at Cyberlynx Correspondence. He will graduate in May 2023, and he plans on studying Audio Engineering Technology and joining the Army Reserves. He is a student athlete, participating in cross country and track and field. He is also a member of the IBC Strings Academy Ensemble. He was formerly a Patrol Leader for Boy Scouts of America, and has volunteered for area churches and the spouses club. Tolbert’s alumni sponsor is his father, Chaplain (Maj.) Paul Tolbert, a 2021 graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. His $5,000 Park University scholarship is sponsored by Park University in Parkville, Missouri.

College Winners

Kyle Skinner is a sophomore studying Management Information Systems at Iowa State University. He graduated North Scott Senior High School in Eldridge, Iowa, in 2021. He chose to transition to the College of Business because he was interested in the social impact of technology, and wants to help businesses and people succeed. He chose Iowa State because of the campus environment, and family ties to the university. He loves music, spending time singing in choir and playing guitar and drums. He is also an avid sports fan, and spends his free time being active or watching the Chicago Cubs and the Green Bay Packers. Skinner’s alumni sponsor is his father, Kerry Skinner, a 2012 alumnus of the CGSC/CGSC Foundation National Security Roundtable Series. He plans to use this scholarship to help pay for books and other necessities.

Annie Krompecher is a senior pharmacy student at the University of South Carolina, and will graduate in 2024. She graduated Chapin High School in Chapin, South Carolina in 2020. Krompecher chose the University of South Carolina because of its accelerated pharmacy track, and says she wishes to enter the medical field and has always had an interest in science. Outside her studies, she enjoys reading and spending time with friends. Krompecher is also an active participant in multiple school groups and volunteer organizations. Krompecher’s alumni sponsor is her father, Col. Zolton Krompecher, a 2009 graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College who served in the Army for more than 35 years. She plans on using her scholarship to help pay for textbooks and lab and technology fees.

Travis Doyle is a sophomore at The University of Texas at San Antonio. He graduated Fort Campbell High School in Fort Campbell, Kentucky in 2021. He chose to study finance and major in business because he has always been a “numbers person,” and he will soon begin an internship with USAA. He chose The University of Texas at San Antonio to be near family. He enjoys baseball, and tracks the statistics for youth teams. Doyle’s alumni sponsor is his father, Maj. Peter M. Doyle, a 2018 graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He plans to use this scholarship to help pay for books and tuition.

Aubrie Penfield is a senior at Oklahoma State University. She plans to graduate with an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2024, and then pursue a master’s to become a licensed Speech and Language Pathologist. She graduated from Lansing High School in Lansing, Kansas in 2018. She looks forward to pursuing speech pathology as a way to make a positive impact on her future patients’ lives. She has also been active and taking on leadership roles in her sorority. Penfield’s alumni sponsor is her father, Col. (Ret.) Gregory Penfield, a 2005 CGSC graduate and current professor in CGSC’s Department of Joint, Interagency and Multinational Operations. She plans to use this scholarship to help pay a portion of tuition costs.

Tyler Malek (not pictured) is currently a junior at University of Nebraska Lincoln, and a marketing intern with Peterbilt. He graduated Edina High School in Edina, Minnesota in 2021. He is a student athlete and musician, and served as the Philanthropy Chair of Kappa Sigma. Malek’s alumni sponsor is his grandfather, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Robert P. Walters, a 1999 graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. His $5,000 Park University scholarship is sponsored by Park University in Parkville, Missouri.

“The Foundation has many friends who may not be life members of our alumni association or have family members attending college, but want to assist and show their appreciation for military families,” Cox said. “This scholarship program provides them the perfect opportunity to help,” Cox said.

The Colonel Stephen E. “Brownie” Brown Scholarship is named in honor of a U.S. Marine officer who retired from active duty in February 2009 and became an instructor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 2010. Due to medical complications from Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA), Brown retired from teaching at CGSC and currently lives in Stillwell, Kansas. His network of lifelong friends approached the CGSC Foundation to establish the scholarship in Brown’s name to honor his lifetime of service and their friendship. This is the largest single scholarship awarded in 2023.

The Park University scholarships are for full-time students for the academic year (the award will be split between the fall and spring semesters). These scholarships can be renewed for up to three years at Park University’s discretion if recipients maintain full-time status, have a 3.0+ GPA, and demonstrate satisfactory academic progress.

The CGSC Foundation’s scholarship program is open to high school seniors beginning their college studies and for undergraduate college students returning to school. Applicants must be immediate family members (children, grandchildren and spouses) of a life member of the CGSC Foundation’s Alumni Association.

The CGSC Foundation also welcomes donors who may not have eligible relatives but wish to support the scholarship program.

Interested persons can support the scholarship program by visiting www.cgscfoundation.org/donate.

The CGSC Foundation will announce details about the 2024 scholarship program in fall 2023.