Matthew Jongema, Recipient of the 2011 Mount Vernon inaugural John F. and Emma B. McDonnell Memorial Scholarship.

Press Release

Historic Mount Vernon selected future Northern Virginia Community College graduate student Matthew Jongema as the recipient of its inaugural John F. and Emma B. McDonnell Memorial Scholarship.
Established this year, the $1,000 scholarship recognizes an outstanding college or college-bound student who demonstrates a solid record of community involvement and leadership. The scholarship program is open to active members of Mount Vernon’s staff, as well as their spouses, children and grandchildren.
A recent graduate of NOVA, Jongema will transfer to George Mason University next spring to complete a degree in cultural anthropology. After graduation, he plans to apply to the United States Foreign Service and hopes to be posted overseas. His long term plans include pursuing a doctorate degree in ethnography to teach at the university level.

He is the son of Mary Jongema, executive assistant to Mount Vernon’s president, James C. Rees. While completing his studies at NOVA, Jongema built a strong employment record, heading up the highly-acclaimed aquatics program for the Henderson Hall Marine Corps Community Service Program. Since joining the staff at Henderson Hall in 2004, Jongema has been consistently recognized for his commitment and performance. He has gradually taken on additional management responsibilities and was named the facility’s first aquatic programs manager in 2009.

Beyond his duties at Henderson Hall and his academic coursework, Jongema also works part-time as a course instructor for Camp Highroads in Middleburg, Va., teaching courses on topics such as canoeing and archery. An outdoors enthusiast, he is active in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as an assistant Scout Master and earning the rank of Eagle Scout himself.

“I am very grateful to have been selected as the recipient of this scholarship,” said Jongema. “It is my goal that my future academic progress will validate the trust that the McDonnell family has placed in me.”
The John F. and Emma B. McDonnell Memorial Scholarship was established through private donations from the McDonnells’ children and other family members and friends. Longtime supporters of Mount Vernon, the McDonnells lived in Riverside Estates from 1962 until their deaths on land that was part of George Washington’s original farm. The scholarship is administered by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association with the participation of appropriate Mount Vernon staff and at least one representative of the McDonnell family.
Three of the McDonnells’ children, Eileen Reinaman, Maureen McDonnell Unacapher and Nancy Naisawald, participated on the selection committee this year. Winners in good academic standing may renew the award annually for up to four years.

By: Contributing Author

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