Name: Tomas Tebarek
Major: Finance in Agribusiness
Scholarship: Jonathan M. and Judith D. Groesbeck Scholarship in Honor of Harold E. Dustin
Hometown: Wheaton, Ill.

How did you make the decision to attend the College of ACES and major in your chosen field?
I was undecided after my freshman year here at Illinois. I was either going to enroll in the College of ACES or LAS. After researching more about the College of ACES, I realized that the major I wanted would set me up with a very successful career!

What are your career plans after college? 
I am working at ALDI as a District Manager. (Tomas graduated in May 2017)

What is your proudest accomplishment since coming to the University of Illinois?
My proudest accomplishment at the University of Illinois was the day I received my job offer. All the years of hard work that I put in have paid off. The teachers, organizations, and people that I have been fortunate to have in my four years here made me the most qualified student I could have possibly been. It was also a relieving feeling when I received the news because I didn't have to stress about job interviews after.

What is your favorite thing about attending the College of ACES?
There are many things that I loved about the College of ACES, but my favorite part would be that I wasn't just a number here. All my professors knew me by name and really cared about my future. I've had many great talks with my professors, as well. Those talks included anything from school to sports to my personal life.

What does this scholarship mean to you?
This scholarship means a lot to my family and me. I was a residential advisor my sophomore and junior years here. I chose to not do it again for my senior year. I thought I would have to get a job on campus to help my parents pay for my rent/tuition this year. Getting a scholarship is a great feeling knowing you were handpicked. On a personal level, it made me reflect on my time here at Illinois and what I have accomplished as a first generation American and college student.

Jonathan M. and Judith D. Groesbeck Scholarship in Honor of Harold E. Dustin
Jonathan M. and Judith D. Groesbeck provide this scholarship in honor of Harold E. Dustin. Dustin farmed for more than 30 years in Galva, Illinois. He raised hogs and Black Angus cattle and grew corn, oats, and hay for livestock. A World War II Veteran, Dustin invented the Pork Sort, which he patented for help sorting the right size hog for market. He had many hobbies, including photography, computers, and electronics. Dustin passed away in 2003. Students from Toulon High School, Wethersfield High School, and Wheaton North High School are preferred recipients of this scholarship.