Jim (Lefty) Leyden was a Fairfield resident and 30 year teacher in the Ottumwa School District. He knew what a burden it could be to pursue a Master’s degree while raising a family. Jim’s family established a scholarship designed to help any certified staff employee of the Fairfield Community School pursue a Master’s degree. The applicant must have already been accepted into a Master’s program. This scholarship was created in 2004.