Capitol Notebook: New Iowa Guard leader aims to expand scholarship program

DES MOINES — In his first Condition of the Guard address as adjutant general, Major General Stephen Osborn asked state lawmakers Thursday to expand a scholarship program for Guard members.

Osborn delivered the annual address to a joint session of the Iowa Legislature at the Iowa Capitol. He recently was named adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard after the March retirement of Ben Corell.

The Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship program provides annual scholarships — up to $8,798 — to Iowa National Guard members who attend eligible Iowa colleges and universities.

Osborn told state lawmakers he is seeking to modify the scholarship program to expand its reach and create an opportunity for Guard members to receive a postsecondary certificate or competency-based credentials.

Osborn called the scholarship program “an incredible benefit for Iowans to gain a college education while serving in the Iowa National Guard.”

Osborn said that one of the reasons he joined the military was because of the college benefits, in addition to a history of military service in his family. His grandfather served in World War I and his father in Korea.

Economic development grants awarded

The Enhance Iowa Board awarded nearly $1.8 million in Community Attraction and Tourism grants to four projects. The board, which is a subset of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, awarded:

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau