New scholarship available at Marion Technical College

Marion Technical College has a new scholarship opportunity available for business students thanks to a donation from the financial planning company Alluvial Private Wealth. The Alluvial Private Wealth scholarship will be awarded in the Fall 2025 semester to a business student who has demonstrated financial need, and the award can be used toward tuition, books, housing, or transportation.

According to an article on Marion Technical College’s website, Lars Olson, who is the president and wealth advisor of Alluvial Private Wealth, was quoted as saying of the decision to create the scholarship, “Alluvial is dedicated to growing clients’ funds and investing in Marion’s future. We see the impact Marion Tech makes in the community and wanted to invest in students. There are many meaningful ways that people can use a business degree, including simplifying taxes or financial planning. To start a small business, you really need a business degree. Alluvial is named from a mineral-rich soil to help great things to grow. That also describes Marion Tech which helps futures to grow.”

Alluvial Private Wealth and its sister company Custom Professional Accounting are staffed by several Marion Technical College alumni. Marion Technical College has a high percentage of nontraditional and older students, and many of the individuals now working at Alluvial Private Wealth Custom Professional Accounting fell into those categories when attending Marion. Jean Obenour, the founder of Custom Professional Accounting, was a pregnant parent when she began taking classes at Marian.

Speaking of her journey with Marion, Obenour said, “I built my world and business on Marion Tech. My kids saw the night classes were worth it. All three went on to earn their degrees. Marion Tech is the best thing in Marion. I’m happy to be a part of this scholarship.”

Mike Stuckey, the director of the Marion Tech Foundation, said, “Even with Marion Tech’s affordable tuition, every dollar helps our students get to graduation. Our average student is 27, so most are juggling work and family and college. Most of our students are from this area and stay here after they graduate. We value this investment to help students succeed!”

This is not the first time Alluvial Private Wealth has supported Marion Technical College. It is also the sponsor of the college’s Forge business classes and competition. According to the webpage for the Forge, its mission is to “provide the region’s most accessible, supportive, and personal pathway to career success that will promote the startup and expansion of Small Businesses in Marion, by providing high-quality training and mentorship to entrepreneurs.” Following the business classes, there is a Shark Tank-style competition that will provide entrepreneurs with up to $2,500 for their businesses.

For more information about Marion Technical College, visit the school’s website.