Sophomore Sean Frankenbach of Palmyra is the University of Missouri’s newest Flagship Scholar for Marion County. The University of Missouri Flagship Scholars program aims to provide a four-year scholarship to at least one student in every Missouri county.

MU agricultural education student Sean Frankenbach of Palmyra, Mo., grew up on a small farm in Marion County. He started school at MU one year ago, and settled right in. He’s now a member of the Mizzou Spirit Squad and the Agricultural Education Society, but the start of his sophomore year will grant him yet another title - he’s the newest University of Missouri Flagship Scholar for Marion County.

The MU Flagship Scholars Program eventually aims to provide a four-year scholarship to at least one student in every Missouri county.  Four counties currently have funding from private donations.  Sean is the second flagship scholar from Marion County award made possible by a generous estate gift from former resident Harry Landis.   The Landis estate also funds the Caldwell award. County students who demonstrate outstanding service and leadership and are the first in their family to attend college receive priority consideration.

Frankenbach’s scholarship provides him with up to $15,000 to help cover tuition and fees, as well as other educational expenses, including room, board and books at MU.
“Neither of my parents went to college,” Frankenbach says. “And while they support me in my pursuit for a college education, they don’t have the capacity to pay for it. I paid for this year on my own, and to know that the next three years are paid for is a huge relief.”
Flagship Scholars are ambassadors for education and MU in their families as well as their communities.  Recipients give back at least 20 hours per year in their home communities promoting education and college attendance.  The scholarship may be used at MU with no restrictions relative to the intended degree, major or academic unit.
Upon graduation, Frankenbach plans on staying near his home community. “I want to teach high school agriculture, hopefully somewhere in northeast Missouri, somewhere close to home,” he says.
The University of Missouri recently selected three other Flagship Scholars: Angela Suter of Wyaconda, a Flagship Scholar for Clark County; Brooke Evans of Laddonia, a Flagship Scholar for Audrain County; and Spencer Snodgrass of Rayville, a Flagship Scholar for Caldwell County.