Mike Schultz was a man with an infectious smile and a big sense of humor. He was known as a dedicated worker and a person of integrity who could get the most complicated jobs done, and done well. Above all, he was respected and loved by many. Sadly, this bright light was taken from Earth far too soon, when Mike lost his life in an accident at the age of 53. Though he is no longer with us, his memory lives on and is making a great impact on future generations.
The Michael Allen Schultz Endowed Scholarship fund was created in 2012 by Schultz’s wife, Susan, in honor of her husband. The fund assists deserving undergraduate, civil, environmental, agricultural or biological systems engineering students enrolled at Iowa State University.
The first $500 scholarship was awarded for the current spring semester to a student from Connecticut who is graduating in May with a degree in civil engineering. According to a letter written by the recipient, receiving the scholarship will enable him to pursue lifelong goals. Due to the great interest in the scholarship fund, there will be new scholarships of up to $1,250 offered to two students in the fall.
Throughout Schultz’s life, he was dedicated to preserving and protecting the country’s natural resources. His desire for preservation began as a child, as he grew up learning about the importance of conservation on his family’s farm in Iowa. His desire was to take care of the farm and make it more productive and useful.
That drive would eventually guide Schultz into the agricultural engineering program at Iowa State University. Later he would earn a master’s degree in engineering and become a certified Professional Engineer. Throughout his life and career, Schultz worked diligently as a farmer, soil conservation agent, lock and dam inspector and project manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Education was very important to Schultz, and he encouraged others to pursue it. The scholarship fund is a perfect reflection of the excellence Schultz strived for in his own life and of his commitment to preservation.
“He worked all of his life to preserve and protect our natural resources,” said Susan Schultz. “Even after he has passed on, he is still inspiring others. It’s a good legacy to leave behind.”