Two scholarships named in honor of the man behind the Riedel Foundation were recently awarded to two graduates. Hannibal High School Senior Natalie Chapman won the George H. Riedel Scholarship for Business and Banking. HHS Senior Ella Williams was awarded the George H. Riedel Scholarship for Social Advocacy. Each graduate received $2,500 to continue their education.
George Riedel was a Director of F&M Bank for many years. He left his estate in a trust that funds the work of the Riedel Foundation. Since Mr. Riedel’s death in 2000, the Foundation has awarded approximately $7.5 million dollars to nonprofit organizations serving Hannibal residents. Most of those grants are aimed at helping children.
“Mr. Riedel spent his life in banking, but the heart of his legacy is the compassion and opportunity his foundation brings to Hannibal,” said Riedel Foundation Administrator Sarah Deien, who presented the scholarships at the HHS Awards Ceremony. “These scholarships reflect his belief in young people and their potential to shape a better future.”
Chapman will be majoring in Business Administration at Lindenwood University in the fall. She is the daughter of Jesse and RaeLynn Chapman.
Williams will attend Northwest Missouri State University and major in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Special Education. She is the daughter of Carrie Williams.
The Riedel scholarships are administered through the Hannibal Booster Club and go directly to the students to apply toward tuition, room, and board.