Missouri Valley College President Joe Parisi announced the Million Dollar Character Scholarship program at the Missouri State Capitol.

The initiative will provide $250,000 annually to establish renewable four-year scholarships for exceptional youth who have volunteered with premier local youth service agencies.

The first beneficiary is the Great Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts.

Parisi emphasized the importance of investing in character, community service, and youth leadership, highlighting the historic relationship between MVC and H. Roe Bartle, former Kansas City mayor and scout executive. Bartle founded and contributed $100,000 to what became the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance at MVC.