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Nov. 26, 2024 4:52 pm
[Editor’s note: This is the 12th and final informative article regarding the scholarships available from The Greater Jefferson County Foundation.]
The Mark Shafer Visual Arts scholarship was created in 2024 to honor this dedicated and respected educator. This will be a 4-yr renewable scholarship for an FHS graduating senior student in the amount of $1,000.00 per year who will be Majoring in Visual Arts, which includes painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, and Art Education
Mark was born September 24, 1949, to R. Keith and Mary Evalyn (Summers) Shafer. He grew up on a farm north of Fairfield with his brothers, Herb, Lynn and Allen. At the age of 5 Mark developed polio, a year before the vaccine was discovered. For the rest of his life, he dealt with scars from the polio. Mark and Susan met in college and got married February 8, 1972. This year they celebrated 50 years of marriage.
Mark attended Black Hawk #8 in a one-room schoolhouse later switching to Fairfield School District graduating in 1967. He received his B.F.A. from the University of Iowa in 1971 and did his graduate work at the University of Northern Iowa in the 1980’s. Mark received his Teacher Certification through Parsons College in 1972. He started his teaching career for the Fairfield School District teaching 10 years as an elementary art teacher (1974-1984), Fairfield Middle School special education (1984-1994) and Fairfield High School Art teacher (1994-2008), for a total teaching career of 30 plus years.
Mark was known by his students as a fun-loving, carefree and goofy teacher. Many students said they might have dropped out of school if it hadn’t been for Mark. While teaching high school art he was junior class sponsor and shared in the Prom plans for many years. Mark studied art in Venice, Italy through New York University in 1979.
He was a founding member of the Fairfield Art Association in 1966, where he has actively been involved. Mark served as Vice-President, art class instructor, Art Camp and moderating exhibits openings with guest artists.
While teaching high school art he was involved in many Fairfield High School Community Public Service Art projects. Here are some of his projects, Lions Club Paper Mache mascot restoration, “The Four Seasons” Barn Quilt, BNSF Pedestrian Bridge, Louden Machinery Company tile project, Save Bikeway signage, Art Association Mural at the Senior Citizen site, Court House Centennial model with slot for steeple restoration donations, Lord’s Cupboard sign, and FHS Wall of Honor Coat of Arms.
Mark received the following awards: Harper Brush Foundation Teacher of the Year in 2004, Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2006, Fairfield Entrepreneurs Association Volunteer of the Year in 2015 and FHS Wall of Honor in 2016.
Mark was known as “Mr. History”. He liked old things and was very involved in many restoration projects. Mark worked very hard for the Jefferson County Museum Board. He was constantly getting letters, phone calls and emails from people needing historical information or advice. Mark was involved in getting Fairfield named to “Great Places in Iowa”.
Mark was a former chairman of the Jefferson County Historic Preservation Commission. He was very involved in restoring the Bonnifield Cabin, Maasdam Barn project and archeological assistance with Jefferson County Civic Center site. He also captured documentation of the Barhydt Chapel by using his camera.
The 2025 scholarship application process will begin December 1, 2024 with a deadline of February 1, 2025. Both FHS and Pekin senior students are welcome to apply. Online applications will be available on the application website at www.gjcfscholarships.org. For more information, contact the Foundation at gjcf0758@windstream.net or call 641-472-0758.
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