Since 1977, the Governor’s Safety & Health Conference has awarded more than $176,850 in scholarships to students in occupational safety at five Iowa colleges. This year, up to $16,000 in scholarships will be awarded by the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Council and presented at the conference to exceptional college students in the state of Iowa.
Jack Beno Memorial Scholarship Fund
When Jack Beno, age 60, lost a long battle with cancer in 1997, the safety world lost a truly inspirational leader. His ideas, guidance, and tenacity contributed greatly to the many successes of the Iowa Governor’s Safety Conference and to the importance of workplace safety and health throughout Iowa.
Jack was appointed to the Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Council in 1979 after accepting a position at Iowa State University. Jack’s former students continually speak of the profound impact he had on their education and life experiences, and will never forget him or the lessons they learned.
2025 Scholarship Recipients
In 2024, the Governor’s Safety & Health Conference awarded $11,500 in scholarships to the following Iowa students:
Jack Beno Scholarship
Anthony Romero, Iowa State University
Bill Dickinson Scholarship
Caroline Powell, University of Iowa
ASSP Hawkeye Chapter Scholarship
Paul Wendzel, Texas A & M
Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Council Scholarships
Elijah Bouwman, Iowa State University
Ernesto Mendez, University of Iowa
Jake O’Brien, Iowa State University
Mary (Molly) Rhodes, University of Iowa
Cindy Rico Chavez, University of Iowa
Matthew Saylor, University of Iowa
Anna Stracciolini, University of Iowa
2025 IOSHAC Scholarship Program – Application