Four Local High School Seniors Awarded Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

Scholarship Provides Full Tuition to Any College or University in Indiana

NEW ALBANY, Ind. – Four graduating seniors in Clark and Floyd counties have been named the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholars.

Two students residing in each local county were selected to receive the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, which provides full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any accredited Indiana public or private college or university.

This year’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholars include:

Clark County (based on student residence):

Floyd County (based on student residence):

“I would like to send congratulations to all of the finalists, as well as a special thank you to Lilly Endowment Inc., which has been incredibly supportive of our foundation and this community,” said Linda Speed, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Because of the generosity of this scholarship program, we are able to award these life-changing scholarships to deserving applicants in Clark and Floyd counties, who will go on to pursue their education and achieve their goals.”

The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana administers the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship program locally each year. Students from any accredited high school in Indiana were invited to apply, but they must reside in Clark or Floyd counties. Scholarship applications were reviewed and scored by International Scholarship & Tuition Services (ISTS), which has been an industry expert and a trusted educational assistance program management partner for organizations for the last 36 years.

Each semi-finalist was individually interviewed by CFSI’s Scholarship Interview Committee, which is comprised of an independent committee of civic volunteers. According to Crystal Melcher, Vice President of Community Philanthropy for CFSI, a total of 12 semi-finalists were determined from the 193 applicants this year.

Four finalists were submitted to ISTS for final approval of the recommendations made by the Scholarship Committee.

Since its inception in 1997-98, Lilly Endowment has supported this program with tuition grants totaling more than $505 million, benefiting over 5,400 Indiana students. The program’s primary purposes are to raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana, to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations play, and to support Lilly Scholars’ engagement with Indiana leaders to improve quality of life statewide.

About CFSI:

The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana was founded in 1991 as the region’s partner, resource, and steward in philanthropy. The Foundation manages $159 million in charitable assets and nearly 300 individual funds – each of which supports the unique charitable intent of the donor who established the fund. Annually, the Foundation awards millions in grants and scholarships and is a National Standards certified community foundation. For more information about the Community Foundation, contact 812-948-4662 or visit www.cfsouthernindiana.com.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.:

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in Eli Lilly and Company. The Endowment supports community development, education, and religion, with a special commitment to Indianapolis and Indiana.

About Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI):

Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for Indiana’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year graduation rates and produce 30% of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20% of its undergraduates.