Honoring a Legacy of Giving: The Pete Ackerman Memorial Scholarship
February 13, 2025
Posted in : News
At Plymold, giving isn’t just something we do—it’s who we are. Our roots trace back to our founder, Harold Nielsen, whose generosity shaped our employee-owned company. He believed in the power of people and made the ultimate commitment to his team by selling the business to the very employees who helped build it.
One of those employees was Pete Ackerman, a dedicated leader who served as our COO and a proud employee-owner. Pete’s impact on Plymold was immeasurable, not just in business growth but in his belief that a strong community is built through giving back. He lived our core values every day, making a lasting impression on those who worked with him.
To honor Pete’s legacy, the Employee Ownership Committee is proud to offer the Pete Ackerman Memorial Scholarship, a $500 award designed to support students pursuing education beyond high school. But this scholarship isn’t about GPA or financial need—it’s about leadership and community involvement. We want to recognize individuals who, like Pete, make a difference in the lives of those around them.
Who Can Apply?
Plymold will award two $500 scholarships – one for a Kenyon-Wanamingo graduating senior and one for a Plymold employee-owner or the dependent child or grandchild of a Plymold employee-owner who is graduating from high school in 2025 and planning to attend an accredited institution offering post-secondary education and/or career training and instruction.
A Plymold employee and/or their dependent child or grandchild is qualified for a scholarship as long as the employee is currently employed, is not on a leave of absence, and has been employed for at least six months. A dependent child shall mean an unmarried naturally born child, legally adopted, stepchild, or a ward of an employee.
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Application Process
Scholarship applications may be downloaded from Plymold.com after February 15, 2025. Completed applications and personal essays must be returned to Plymold, Attn: Pam Amundson, 615 Centennial Drive, Kenyon, MN 55946, postmarked no later than April 19th, 2025.
The Plymold Scholarship Committee will choose recipients through an anonymous essay review, and all decisions are final. The selected students will receive a $500 scholarship check payable directly to their financial institution no later than September 16, 2025. The recipient is responsible for submitting the necessary paperwork (tuition statement) to Plymold by August 16, 2025. Details will be included in the award letter.
If you or someone you know meets the criteria, we encourage you to apply and continue the tradition of generosity and leadership that Pete embodied. This is more than a scholarship—it’s a way to invest in the future of those who give back to their communities.