Northwest Missouri State University student Hunter Ackley is the recipient of the Lewis and Elda Israel Scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year.

Ackley, a freshman physical education major from Bethany, Missouri, is the second student to receive the scholarship since it was established and awarded for the first time last year. He is the son of Nathen and Khrishia Jennings and Travis Ackley.

The $500 scholarship is available to students graduating from South Harrison, Gilman City and Ridgeway high schools. Preference is given to a student entering Northwest as a freshman with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Recipients may be enrolled in any discipline, though preference is given to students studying elementary or secondary education.

The scholarship was established in memory of Northwest alumni Lewis and Elda Israel.

Lewis Israel graduated from Ridgeway High School in 1927 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in history at Northwest in 1931. He served as the editor of the Harrison County Republican Clipper from 1961 to 1975. 

Elda Neill Israel graduated from Bethany High School in 1937 and earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Northwest in 1969 as well as a master’s degree in 1973. She taught for 20 years in Gilman City and Bethany schools. 

The couple raised six children, including daughter Susan Israel-Nelson, a 1989 graduate of Northwest.

For more information about the Lewis and Elda Israel Scholarship or to make a gift to support Northwest, contact the Northwest Foundation at 660.562.1248 or visit www.schoener-einrichten.net/GiveOnline.