An Advocate for Education // The Allbaugh Scholarship
Believes in the importance of stepping forward to assist others.
Ken and Meg Allbaugh value education. They believe in the importance of stepping forward to assist others. Combining their appreciation for education and fulfilling their philanthropy wishes, they created the Allbaugh Scholarships.
Meg’s life centered around education. Completing high school at the age of 15, she enrolled in college to become an elementary teacher. She was teaching at the age of 20. Ken was a graduate of Iowa State University and a successful electrical engineer. He retired from Iowa Public Service (now MidAmerican Energy) after 40 years of service. Scholarships were established by each of them to compliment the interests of both Meg and Ken. Meg set up a scholarship to support arts and science students, while Ken’s scholarship supports students in technical programs.
Ken is also a strong crusader for the Friendship Village Endowment which provides scholarships for Hawkeye students. This scholarship benefits employees of Friendship Village seeking their nursing degree. Why? Ken will tell you we all will need a nurse to take care of us at some time. He experienced this firsthand in 2005 when he woke up in the hospital to hear from one of the endowment scholarship recipients. She said, “I’m your nurse, and I know all your stats.” As Ken put it gladly, “That scholarship paid off in spades.”
Ken meets the students that benefit from his generosity. He smiles as he shares many success stories—from the 40-year old mother whose scholarship allowed her to stay in school to the nontraditional student who was working two jobs while pursuing his dream of becoming a high school math teacher. These stories reinforce his belief in supporting students—students value their scholarships and work hard to complete their degree.
Ken strongly believes in Hawkeye Community College, and it is evident through his strong leadership and volunteers efforts in the college. Ken served on the Board of Trustees for over 26 years. He is a founding member of the Foundation Board and continues to serve as a strong supporter and board member. In 2007, Ken received the Association for Fundraising Professionals’ Benjamin Franklin Award for the Eastern Iowa Chapter for his philanthropy and service to non-profit organizations in the Cedar Valley.
Meg passed away October 12, 2008. Her scholarship continues to benefit many Hawkeye Community College students.