May 28, 2024 – In 2021 the History of the Heartland committee created an annual scholarship in memory of Loren Doug Hagen, a 1964 graduate of MacArthur High School and the 2024 recipient is MHS Student Isabel Bethard.
“Our committee believes Isabel exemplifies the qualities the Hagen family asked us to look for in recipients of the scholarship,” stated Ayn Owens, founder of History of the Heartland. She will receive a $500 scholarship for her continuing education fund. Isabel will be attending the University of Illinois Chicago this fall. She has been very active in the Student Council and the MHS AG program. Her brother currently serves in the Navy.
Loren “Doug” Hagen was elected the Student Council President of the MacArthur High School Class of 1964. Following Doug’s graduation from MacArthur, he studied engineering at North Dakota State University, where he graduated in 1968 and then enlisted in the Army. Doug was commissioned as an Army Officer and selected for training in the Special Forces, the “Green Berets”. Doug was killed in Vietnam as he left cover to check on one of his team members who was hit. Despite the odds, half of the assaulting force was destroyed, and eight of his fourteen team members were extracted to safety. For his extraordinary leadership and bravery under fire, Doug posthumously received the Medal of Honor.
Hagen’s family was consulted for guidelines of the formation of the fund:
The annual $500 scholarship is intended to contribute toward the educational expenses of a graduating senior of MacArthur High School who will be attending a college or university. The scholarship recipient must have been a participant in student leadership. Additional preference is made for students who have some connection to military service, either a family member who served, or their own participation in a reserve program or ROTC.
The scholarship presentation was made by History of the Heartland chairman Bret Robertson at the May MHS Awards Ceremony.
Donations are still being accepted for the annual scholarship. All donations are tax deductible. Donations by check may be made out to DPS 61 Foundation and Hagen Fund in the memo and mailed to DPS Foundation Attn: Hagen Fund 101 West Cerro Gordo, Decatur, IL 62523 or made online at:
https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Doug-Hagen-Memorial/SdZwuF?mip=Mdy7
