Our days are full of experiences. They help us to grow as individuals, find compassion for others, test our own values and find our place. For college men today, experiences happen in the classroom, the chapter house, on internships and in unique and significant ways, such as through international travel and study abroad trips.

International travel exposes undergraduates to unfamiliar customs, different world views, diverse cultural systems and often includes a study of major-related content with experts and stakeholders in a foreign country. Many times, an international experience is the first time a student has flown on an airplane or traveled outside of the country. And when donors partner with the FarmHouse Foundation, more undergraduate members have the opportunity to see the world, work side-by-side with families building homes in Honduras, discover other cultures, try new cuisine, deepen their understanding and compassion, and find a new passion for making an impact.

“Students today realize that obtaining a global perspective through study abroad is more important than ever with our ever-connected world,” said Allison Rickels, FHFoundation executive director and CEO. “For many FarmHouse members, however, participation in a study abroad program would not be financially possible without scholarships supported by generous donors. We are incredibly grateful to donors who believe in the benefits of an international experience and share their global perspective and philanthropy with today’s and tomorrow’s global scholars and leaders.”

Beginning with Family

The concept of awarding study abroad scholarships through the FarmHouse Foundation started with one family and their personal experiences traveling internationally together.

In December 1990, a well-known and actively involved FH family, including Randy Sims (Illinois 69), Doug Sims (Illinois 68), Melvin Sims (Illinois 41)†, Dean Sims (Illinois 40)† and Fay Sims (Illinois 41)† created a permanent endowment fund to provide scholarships to members of the Illinois FH Chapter who participate in a university sponsored study aboard experience.

The Sims Family Fund was the first of its kind for FarmHouse as it was not only the first established by members of one family, it was also the first fund to support student participation in international study abroad programs.

Fay, who dedicated countless hours to mentor and support the Illinois Chapter, was always delighted to hear from members while they traveled abroad. Before his passing, Fay shared, “I feel good about what we are doing. I believe we are doing something to help—and encourage—future FarmHouse men to study abroad.”

The vision the Sims family had 28 years ago continues to open new doors for Illinois FH members. For example, it enabled Zach Belton (Illinois 94) to study in England in 1998, showed Greg Niewold (Illinois 02) a different perspective on agriculture through a precision farming course in Germany, and most recently sent Jake Montgomery (Illinois 17) to study in Brazil.

More impressively, since its creation, in addition to the Sims family, 115 other individuals have donated to the Fund, many whom are past recipients, to expand the opportunity for more students.

Growing Passions

It would be another 15 years before a second study abroad scholarship was established with the Foundation. In 2005, Lynn Benson (Iowa State 59)† and his wife, Marilyn, made a permanent investment that has paid dividends in such places as Argentina, South Africa, the Netherlands, Chile and beyond. Unique for their endowment fund, their study abroad scholarship is open to members of the Iowa State FH Chapter as well as female legacies of Iowa State FH alumni.

Before his passing, Lynn had a successful career with Iowa State University Extension Service, operated his family’s farm in Sidney, Iowa, and he and Marilyn traveled often to see family and the world.

After receiving a Benson Scholarship, Adam Fichter (Iowa State 12) found he grew in numerous ways from his trip. He said, “Academically, I learned so much about the agricultural industry, history and culture in Argentina. Personally, it provided a great way to get out of my comfort zone and experience a whole new culture in a different country. Professionally, the experience and knowledge that I gained will benefit me in my future career due to the global nature of agriculture.”

Finding a World Full of Beauty

The value of travel is its ability to mold the traveler into an educated citizen of the world. In that world there is a tremendous beauty from flora and fauna to customs and traditions.

For Jay Koths (Michigan State 47), his work as professor of floriculture at the University of Connecticut not only surrounded him with beauty but also provided the opportunity for exploration. Following retirement, he and his late wife, Lynne†, traveled the world, birding and exploring together, visiting over 120 countries and remote areas of the world.

Through their endowment gift, Jay and Lynne continue to nurture academic curiosity and international travel by funding a study abroad scholarship for members of the Michigan State FH Chapter.

Last fall, Kalvin Canfield (Michigan State 14) traveled to Sri Lanka to study tropical agriculture. He said, “I saw a whole new world. You don’t know what you don’t know until you see it. Traveling abroad teaches you new things and shows you a different view.”

Navigating the Earth Like Ferdinand Magellan

The impact of study abroad experiences is what motivates Clint Foss (Iowa State 01) to give FarmHouse through the Magellan Study Abroad Scholarship Fund.

“Being put in another community can be humbling,” said Clint, “We live in a divided country and world. Study abroad starts the process of understanding there are other ways to live life. We’re often driven by similar values and recognizing these similarities can make the world a better place.”

The Magellan Study Abroad Scholarship, for undergraduates of the Iowa State FH Chapter, is the direct product of three FH brothers who experienced a personal impact not only from the Fraternity but also traveling overseas together.

Together with Riley Smith (Iowa State 01) and Jess Phelps (Iowa State 01), the trio are the youngest alumni ever to establish an endowment fund with the FH Foundation.

Following his studies at Iowa State, Riley has traveled the world as Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, currently based in Singapore. Reflecting on his time abroad, Riley says, “Personally, I found Socrates’ command ‘know thyself,’ to be particularly applicable to studying abroad. The first time I left the U.S. by myself was to study in France in June and July 2003. Aside from going through Navy officer training, leaving the country on my own was the best thing I could have done to learn about myself when I was 22. Once I moved away from Iowa in 2004, giving back to FarmHouse has helped keep the memories of my college years, and the lessons I learned, fresh in my mind. I felt an obligation to FarmHouse for putting me on the right path for graduating college.”

A Catalyst for Exposure

Growing up in Seminole, Okla., Colton Clark (Oklahoma 15) hadn’t traveled outside of the United States. He applied for a Linville International Catalyst Scholarship to visit China and Japan with the Scholar Leader Program in the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University. After his trip he said, “This scholarship has opened the door for an opportunity that has had an incredible impact on my life. The lessons learned while abroad have given me insight on how to relate to others, a new understanding of different cultures and ultimately solidifies a personal respect for traditions different than my own.”

Colton is one of 63 recipients to receive a Linville Scholarship, since the fund started in 2013.

With a passion for FarmHouse, their family’s love for traveling and—more than that—joy in sharing this experience with others, Randy (Kansas State 73) and Debbie Linville set out to help build men in a new way. The Linville International Catalyst Fund, the largest scholarship fund dedicated to international travel in the Foundation’s history, was born.

The Linville’s wanted to see their gift used immediately and for as many young men as possible. Therefore, they set up their fund as a temporarily restricted scholarship so that as soon as they made their initial gift, the first scholarships could be awarded.

Recipients can receive a scholarship up to $2,000 per academic year for a study abroad or international immersion experience.

As of today, $76,160 has been awarded to 63 FarmHouse undergraduates.

Reflecting on the vision for the fund, Randy said, “FarmHouse builds men and, to me, this isn’t possible without getting international exposure. International travel is expensive and time-intensive. However, I believe it is necessary to build a well-rounded leader who is empathetic and understanding of the world around them. Debbie and I want to make it easier for FarmHouse men to travel abroad. In terms of grooming leaders, we couldn’t think of a richer way than this.”

Creating a Legacy of Opportunity

The Foundation’s newest study abroad endowment fund was born out of a couple’s love for travel. Milton Jellum (Minnesota 53) and his wife, Pauline, have traveled the world professionally and personally to many countries and continents.

Before retiring as a professor of agronomy at the University of Georgia, Milt spent his career teaching, lecturing and researching ways to improve agriculture and feed a growing planet.

While Milt built his successful academic career in agriculture, he credits FarmHouse for cultivating him to be a values-driven leader. In turn, he and Pauline have chosen to cultivate the lives of his younger FH brothers and help expose them to rich international experiences. Their endowment fund, established by generous gifts from their IRA and a life insurance policy, will award its first scholarship this academic year.

Hope for the Future

Master Builder Darl Snyder (Iowa State 42)† was passionate about young people having an international experience. Darl’s life left a tremendous legacy on communities worldwide through his work with FarmHouse and as director of international programs at the University of Georgia.

Through such work, he and his late wife, Florence, made more than 35 trips to establish partnerships in Africa, with particular support in Burkina Faso. Their decades-long work was honored with the establishment of a school named for them.

Darl’s contributions to FarmHouse were numerous, including 10 years as the Fraternity’s executive secretary and its first full-time executive director. His leadership founded five chapters, the creation of the Regional Leadership Conferences, editor of Pearls & Rubies and the establishment of the FarmHouse Foundation.

Darl and Florence continue to build well-rounded men by their Snyder New Horizons Scholarship, which he established in 2007 following Florence’s passing. The purpose of their scholarship is to broaden the horizons, exposure and experience of FH undergraduates through study abroad programs and international travel opportunities.

Darl once remarked, “My hope is that every young person has international experiences. Such opportunities tend to open one’s mind to realities never before imagined or understood. I am grateful for having even a small part in these international learning experiences.”

Progress Continues On

Many FarmHouse undergraduates have received transformational experiences because donors invested in them with scholarships for international travel. And, many more will be impacted in the future. The ripple effect of this philanthropy can be found all over the globe–wherever FarmHouse young men have traveled, studied and grown–and are changing the world one plane ride at a time.