The Lead.
Just before Veterans Day, a local foundation is launching a new scholarship fund to support veterans or active-duty service members in graduating from Marion Technical College. The new Merle and Peg Hamilton Veterans Scholarship Fund will help students with financial needs achieve their educational goals and reduce the financial barrier to success.
“It can make a difference,” said Ron Cramer, administrator of the Merle and Peg Hamilton Foundation. “It’s an opportunity to provide help at a critical time. We hope it will continue to grow and others will add to it.”
World War II Veteran and Spouse Led the Community
Merle Hamilton fought in World War II. Merle and Peg were local business philanthropic leaders who invested in the Marion community in many ways, including taking a leading role in creating the World War II Veterans Memorial in the Marion Cemetery on Delaware Avenue. Their foundation continues that legacy.
“Merle and Peg and this entire Marion community have a long tradition of supporting and valuing veterans and service members. This is another way to help,” Cramer said.
Legacy of Support for Veterans at Marion Tech
“The Hamilton Foundation has supported Marion Tech’s veterans in many ways over the years, including funds for the annual veterans’ dinner on the Marion campus and grocery cards to veterans,” said Mike Stuckey, director of the Marion Technical College Foundation. “This is another generous way this foundation is providing support for local veterans and reserve members.”
Cramer Believes in Veterans and First-Generation College Students
Cramer, an attorney who came from a family of veterans, appreciates the opportunity to continue investing in Marion Tech and its students. Other charitable foundations he manages have invested in Marion Tech scholarships and students since the late 1980s.
“You do more with the money at Marion Tech because of the flexibility,” Cramer says. They see a need in the workforce, and they respond with a new certificate or program to meet that need. I love that graduates can immediately participate in the job market.”
Cramer is a first-generation college student himself. As a child, he lived on a farm in Shelby and then moved to Iberia, a small farming community in Morrow County. He credits his 50-year career as an attorney in Marion to taking that step at a branch campus of The Ohio State University. He encourages others who may be the first in their families to attend college to come to Marion Tech.
“With a Micro-certs or one-year certificate, you can gain incremental success that can help you right away and also encourage students to keep going in their education,” Cramer said. “It builds up their confidence.”
The new scholarship offers another way for the college to serve veteran students. Marion Tech currently has 100 military-connected students. The college currently holds a Collegiate Purple Star Award. Marion Tech was also recognized for excellence in programming for military-connected students. Marion Tech also partners with the Community College of the Air Force to offer online general education (GEM) classes online.
"Marion Tech is proud to serve our military-connected students through our programs and services, and we strive to empower them as they build their future beyond the service. We are truly grateful for this generous support, which will enable us to continue to make a difference in the lives of those who’ve given so much for all of us. This allows our military-connected students to get to their next goals,” said Carey Wolf, Veterans Coordinator and Assistant Registrar at Marion Tech.
Scholarship Awarded for Fall 2026
This endowed scholarship will be awarded annually to veterans who are enrolled in classes in the fall of 2026. The more funds that are donated, the bigger the scholarship that will be awarded. The application deadline is May 1.
“These veterans and service members have proven they are leaders,” said Tami Galloway, president of the Marion Tech Foundation Board of Directors. “These funds help Marion Tech meet the ever-changing financial and educational needs of our students. This scholarship can change their lives.”
“Not only does this reduce the financial barriers to success, but it shows the community supports them and has confidence in them and is invested in their success,” Cramer said.
Foundation Scholarships
For the complete list of Foundation scholarships, or to donate to this scholarship fund, visit mtc.edu or contact Mike Stuckey at stuckeym@mtc.edu.
