CGSC Foundation announces winners of 2025 scholarship program

The CGSC Foundation announces the winners of its 2025 competitive scholarship program.

“We’re extremely proud to announce the winners of the 2025 CGSC Foundation Alumni Association Scholarship program,” said CGSC Foundation President and CEO Lora Morgan. “This is the sixth year we’ve run this program and we once again saw an increase in applicants. It is an honor for the CGSC Foundation to help military families through this program. Congratulations to this year’s winners and thank you to their parents and grandparents for being life members of our alumni association.”

Three scholarships were awarded to high school students preparing to enter college: Katherine Moen, a senior at Leavenworth High School in Leavenworth, Kansas, won the $5,000 Colonel Stephen E. “Brownie” Brown Scholarship, the top award for high school students; Andrew Rohde a senior at Catholic Central High School in Steubenville, Ohio, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship; and Winston Jenkins a senior at St. Agnes Academy in Houston, Texas, was awarded a $500 scholarship.

Two scholarships were awarded to college students continuing their education: Bailey Preston a mechanical engineering student at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship; and Lydia Johnke, a nursing student at the University of Alabama, was awarded a $500 scholarship. Johnke also qualified for one of the $5,000 Park University scholarships, sponsored by Park University in Parkville, Missouri.

Two other students were awarded $5,000 scholarships to Park University, a CGSC Foundation scholarship program partner: Lara Herken, a senior at Leavenworth High School in Leavenworth, Kansas; and Everett Pickler, a senior at Junction City High School in Junction City, Kansas.

High School Recipients

Katherine Moen is a senior at Leavenworth High School in Leavenworth, Kansas, won the $5,000 Colonel Stephen E. “Brownie” Brown Scholarship. She will graduate in May 2025 and plans on studying animal science at the University of Missouri, Columbia, where she has been accepted into the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Pre-Veterinary Medical Scholars program. She chose animal science and the veterinary field because she has always had a love for animals, finds the field to be fascinating, and appreciates the role veterinarians play in supporting their communities. Moen is a member of Leavenworth High School Student Council, Scholars Bowl, National Honor Society and Model UN, and works as an Adventure Staff member with the Girl Scouts of Kansas and Missouri, where she teaches young Girl Scouts how to canoe, throw tomahawks, partake in archery, zipline, and more. Moen’s alumni sponsor is her father, Lt. Col. (Ret.) William Moen, CGSOC and SAMS alumnus, and Assistant Professor of Distance Education. She plans to use her $5,000 scholarship for books and other expenses.

Andrew Rohde is a senior at Catholic Central High School in Steubenville, Ohio. He will graduate in May 2025 and will attend Ohio State University to study biochemistry on the pre-med track. Rohde views the medical field as a vocation he feels called to pursue, and sites his experiences in Scouting and an internship in tuberculosis drug discovery as igniting his passion for medicine. Rohde is active in student government and National Honor Society, and the President of both the Jefferson County Youth Coalition and the Catholic Central High School Youth Coalition. He is an Eagle Scout as well as an athlete and community volunteer. Rohde’s alumni sponsor is his grandfather, Col. (Ret.) Bruce David Brandes, CGSOC alumnus. He plans to use his $1,000 scholarship for books and expenses.

Winston Jenkins is a senior at St. Agnes Academy in Houston, Texas. She will graduate in May 2025 and plans on attending Rice to study bioengineering. She chose bioengineering due to her life-long love of biology, and a desire to work on the hands-on application side of the science. Jenkins was the head of electronics systems of her FIRST Robotics Competition team, and participated in tuberculosis and pneumonia research that applied AI to diagnosis and treatment. She is an avid reader,  a Girl Scouts Ambassador, and successfully petitioned her City Council to increase child safety at local parks. Jenkins’ alumni sponsor is her grandfather, Col. (Ret.) Bruce David Brandes, CGSOC alumnus. She plans to use her $500 scholarship for tuition.

College Recipients

Bailey Preston attends the Missouri University of Science and Technology, where she is studying mechanical engineering. Preston loves hands-on learning and problem-solving, and hopes to work with robotics in the future. She is active in many campus activities and honors societies, a member of Engineers Without Borders, and is a research assistant in the Missouri S&T Civil Engineering Department. Outside of academics, she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, camping, and fishing. Preston’s alumni sponsor is her father, Col. Scott S. Preston, CGSOC alumnus. She plans to use her $1,000 scholarship to help pay for tuition and housing costs.

Lydia Johnke attends the University of Alabama, where she is studying nursing. Johnke has always had a passion for the medical field, and exploring different fields of healthcare helped her gain an appreciation for the many opportunities nursing offers and the meaningful impact nurses have on patient care. In addition to her academic interests, she enjoys traveling, exercising, reading, and spending time with others. Johnke’s alumni sponsor is her father, Col. (Ret.) Barton Johnke, CGSOC and SAMS alumnus. She plans to use her $500 scholarship for summer tuition so she can continue progressing toward her nursing degree. Johnke also qualified for the Park University scholarship sponsored by Park University in Parkville, Missouri.

Park University Scholarship Recipients

Lara Herken is a senior at Leavenworth High School in Leavenworth, Kansas. She will graduate in May 2025 and plans to study English and Professional Writing. Herken developed a love of for the art of proofreading in a creative writing class while helping peers edit their work, and wants to pursue a career helping authors perfect their writing as they move towards publication. Herken is a member of the Leavenworth High School band and girl’s golf team, and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is passionate about art and enjoys volunteering in her free time. Herken’s alumni sponsor is here father, Maj. (Ret.) Bryan Herken, CGSOC alumnus. Herken’s $5,000 Park University scholarship is sponsored by Park University in Parkville, Missouri.

Everett Pickler is a senior at Junction City High School in Junction City, Kansas. He will graduate in May 2025, and plans on studying mechanical engineering with a focus in the automotive industry. Pickler loves researching the inner workings of objects, particularly cars. He enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking, and volunteering in his community. Pickler’s alumni sponsor is his father, Col. Jeffrey Wayne Pickler, CGSOC alumnus. His grandfather is Lt. Gen. (Ret.) John Pickler, CGSOC and SAMS alumnus and Trustee Emeritus of the CGSC Foundation. Pickler’s $5,000 Park University scholarship is sponsored by Park University in Parkville, Missouri.

The top scholarship for high school applicants in the program is the Colonel Stephen E. “Brownie” Brown Scholarship 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.

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 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 2026 scholarship program in fall 2025.