Marjorie McIntyre Evans and Gary Evans

The Irma A. (McLaughlin) McIntyre Memorial Endowed Agriculture Scholarship was established in 2018 with donations from Marji McIntyre and Gary Evans, from which the proceeds from interest on the fund are used each year to award the scholarship.

McIntyre was born in Newport, MI, at the Yoas family homestead from the union of Ralph and Irene (Yoas) McLaughlin. Her parents and grandparents were hardworking farmers; her father worked the fields and raised pigs and steers, while her mother sold eggs from the chickens she raised and canned the many vegetables she grew in her gardens.

Irma was a 1942 graduate of Monroe High School and went on to graduate from Monroe Business College. She began working as a secretary at the Monroe Better Business Bureau, and then at Monroe Auto Equipment, now Tenneco Automotive, as the secretary to the head of production planning. Through her success she gained an appreciation for and placed great value on higher education that had created so many opportunities for her.

After working for several years, she met and married, Charles McIntyre in 1948. Together, they raised three daughters Martha, Marjorie, and Susan.

Irma was a founding member of Thrift Shop Association of Monroe, a thrift and consignment store located downtown Monroe, a Hillsdale woman commissioner and a member of the Hibiscus Children’s Foundation in Guild-Stuart, FL. She was also a member of Friends in Council, and a board member at Sunrise House for Abused Women.

“The Irma A. (Mclaughlin) McIntyre Memorial Endowed Agriculture Scholarship was established in memory of mom and the generations before her, who successfully and proudly made a living in agriculture,” said her daughter, Marjorie (Marji), upon establishing the fund. “I am so pleased to assist those following in their steps and pursuing a career in this area.”

To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must be enrolled in the agriculture program at MCCC, be at least a part-time student, be a resident of Monroe County, Michigan, and demonstrate financial need.