R. J. McElroy Scholar Award

The R.J. McElroy Scholar Award is designed to draw attention and interest to the field of youth leadership and youth development. Named in honor of R. J. McElroy Trust the lecture annually features a national figure in the profession. The R.J. McElroy Scholar Award is organized in such a way as to bring about greater awareness concerning issues relating to youth leadership and youth development. This year’s award winner Ms. Cherri Verschraegen has exhibited exemplary leadership and service to the provision of child and youth programs and services to military families .

R.J. McElroy was an exceptional person. He overcame a difficult childhood and poor educational background to become founder of Black Hawk Broadcasting, and a civic leader. A man with tremendous drive and motivation, enhanced by his charm and good looks, he worked long hours to achieve his goals. “Mac” was a popular radio announcer whose man-on-the-street interviews were a favorite of generations of listeners in northeast Iowa. His determination and salesmanship enabled him to start KWWL radio with only a small investment. His toughness and good fortune resulted in his winning the right to establish KWWL-TV.

Throughout his life R.J. McElroy worked to improve the quality of life in the metro area to repay the community for its support. He made arrangements to continue these efforts after his death in a will that provided financial assistance to deserving youth through the R.J. McElroy Trust. When Black Hawk Broadcasting was sold, the Trust received a portion of the proceeds. In the years that followed, thousands of young people in northeast Iowa have been given an opportunity to develop their own exceptional lives through programs supported by the Trust. R. J. McElroy’s greatest success was his contribution to future generations.

The R.J. McElroy Trust assists non-profit tax-exempt organizations, which provide educational services to deserving youth. It is preferred that these organizations be located in the KWWL viewing area, and organizations located in Black Hawk County and the rural counties in the viewing area receive higher priority.

Previous award winners have included:

1990 - Judith J. Carter
1991 - Christine L. Kwak
1992 - Jane Quinn
1993 - Karen Pittman
1994 - Charles Jordan
1995-96 - Norman Sprinthall
1997 - Joseph Kahne
1998 - Mike Baizerman
1999 - Marsha Johnson-Evans
2000 - Judy H. Gaze
2001 - Ronald H. Dodd
2002 - Diane Claiborne-Carr
2003 - Beverly J. Houston
2004 - Thomas M. Davis
2005 - Frances Hesselbein
2006 - Ambassador Sylvia Stanfield
2007 - Kala M. Stroup
2008 - Timothy L. Richardson
2009 - Cherri L. Verschraegen