Greater Jefferson County Foundation announces new scholarship opportunities

The Greater Jefferson County Foundation has announced that it will begin taking applications later this year for the Frank E. Ireland Memorial Scholarship for the 2024 scholarship period.

Frank Ernest Ireland was born January 1, 1949 and died June 15, 2022 in Houston, Texas. Created by his son Matt Patton with contributions in the amount of $20,000 from family and friends, this scholarship shall be available to graduating FHS senior students in the amount of $1,000 for the college freshman term.

The criteria shall be computer technology/engineering field, or related trade. Special emphasis will be given to applicants who come from a family with a military service background and is based on financial need.

Frank Ernest Ireland grew up in Libertyville and graduated from FHS in 1967. After graduation, Frank enlisted in the United States Army. He served for two years, rising to the rank of Sergeant and receiving a Bronze Star for his service in the Vietnam War before his honorable discharge in 1970. After returning to civilian life, he attended Indian Hills Community College and Pasadena City College (Pasadena, California). Following college, Frank moved to Houston, Texas, becoming a Mission Control Specialist for NASA’s Johnson Space Center. After retiring from NASA in 2005, his interest in computer engineering led him to pursue a career as a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) pilot and technician for Oceaneering International.

During Frank's time as an ROV pilot, he worked on Deepwater Horizon, a British Petroleum (BP) oil drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico. On April 20, 2010, he was on the Deepwater Horizon when it exploded and sank, resulting in the death of 11 people. This tragedy was not only significant in Frank's life, but it received worldwide attention and resulted in the 2016 film Deepwater Horizon.

Growing up in Libertyville, Iowa, Frank enjoyed being outdoors. In his youth, he spent time hunting, trapping, fishing, and playing baseball. Frank developed a special love for motorcycles in high school and would regularly attend national motorcycle races. He also participated in local dirt-track races where his passion for motorcycle racing eventually led him to the first-place finish in the 175 CC Class Midwest Short Track Championship in 1970.

Frank also enjoyed documenting his many travels through photography, often sending extraordinary pictures of his experiences to friends and family back in Iowa. In retirement, Frank enjoyed ocean fishing with friends, collecting rare coins, and connecting with family on social media.

Frank greatly valued education; the type obtained in a classroom and the type that comes through life experiences. He never stopped learning and worked hard to ensure that his family had the resources necessary to pursue various postsecondary educational opportunities.

The Foundation’s Scholarship Period begins December 1 and ends February 1 at 4 p.m. The online application can be found on the scholarship website at www.gjcfscholarships.org. Nearly $160,000 in scholarships were disbursed by the Foundation in 2023.

The Greater Jefferson County Foundation is deeply grateful for the vision of its donors for making these scholarships available. For more information regarding the Foundation’s Scholarship Program, visit the website at www.greaterjeffersoncountyfoundation.org, call the office at 641-472-0758,or email at gjcf0758@windstream.net.