Joel Gentz Scholarship of Honor

Joel joined the Air force after graduating from Purdue University, where he studied aerospace engineering and participated in the ROTC program. He graduated from Chelsea High School in Michigan where he grew up.

The Joel Gentz Scholarship of Honor pays tribute to 1st Lieutenant Joel Gentz who was killed in a rescue mission in Afghanistan on June 9, 2010.

It will be awarded to a student at Purdue who is participating the ROTC program.

Recipients

2024

Cadet Jacob Spurling is studying Mechanical Engineering and is enlisted in the United States Air Force at Purdue University. He is pictured here with Retired Col Mike Silver and Col Joe McKenna.

2023

Mason Miller is pursuing a career as a Air Force Combat Rescue Pilot or Officer

2022

Mitchell Vannoy is studying Political Science at Purdue University

2021

Kori Howard is studying Aeronautical engineering technology at Purdue University.

2019

Alvin Little is studying Industrial Engineering.

2018

Alec Nelson is pursing a career in Health and Disease and Commissioning in the Air Force, May 2019

2017

Alexander Mount is in the United States Air Force

2016

Ryan Dore is attending Purdue University in the Air Force ROTC.

2015

Jonah McCrorey is attending Purdue University in the Air Force ROTC.

2014

Charles Logsdon attended Purdue University in the Air Force ROTC.  He is pictured here with Joel's wife, Kathryn

2013

Benjamin Petry would ultimately like to become a Special Tactics Officer in the United States Air Force.

Kathryn Gentz, Joel's wife, presents the scholarship to Benjamin at Purdue University.

2012

Ryan Kelly plans to follow in Joel’s footsteps as a United States Air Force Combat Rescue Officer. He wants to lead Pararescue Airmen and save lives.

He is pictured here with Kathryn Gentz, Joel's wife at the first annual scholarship presentation at Purdue University.

Contributors 

5 Star Endowment Sponsor

John and Kathy Lochner Family