Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Finalists Announced
Press Release
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Finalists Announced
Grant County, IN — The Community Foundation of Grant County is pleased to recognize six local high school seniors as Grant County finalists for the prestigious Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. Two of the finalists will be selected as 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars. The two scholars will each receive a full-tuition scholarship to pursue a baccalaureate degree at any accredited public or private Indiana college or university and an annual book and equipment stipend. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program has provided approximately $6 million in tuition and book stipends to benefit 54 Grant County students since 1998.
“These six remarkable students represent the very best of Grant County. Their drive, compassion, and commitment to excellence give us every confidence that the future is bright. Being named a Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship finalist is an extraordinary achievement, and we are honored to support them as they take the next step in their educational journeys,” said Dawn Brown, President/CEO of the Community Foundation. “These six seniors have shown what it looks like to lead with purpose, serve with heart, and dream big for their future. We couldn’t be prouder and hope everyone reading this will join us in celebrating their remarkable accomplishments.”
The finalists and respective schools are:
· Alexis Nuber - Oak Hill High School
· Ciaran Moeschberger - Eastbrook High School
· Elijah Inskeep - Marion High School
· Grace Carpenter - Marion High School
· Josiah Watkins - Oak Hill High School
· Keagan Hallis - Eastbrook High School
A committee of local volunteers reviewed the dozens of applications in a blind process. Finalists were selected based on their academic achievement, service to others, extracurricular activities, and essays. The committee then interviewed each of the finalists. Nominees and alternate names will be submitted to the Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc., the statewide administrator of the program, for the final selection – which will be announced in December.
The primary purposes of the program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit, and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.
About Community Foundation of Grant County, Indiana, Inc.
The Community Foundation of Grant County is an advocate for local philanthropy and is dedicated to improving the lives of people in the Grant County area. An effective steward of the community’s charitable resources since 1984, the Foundation partners with donors to establish charitable funds and supports nonprofits through a variety of grantmaking efforts. The Community Foundation connects people, resources, and causes to promote sustainable impact for the betterment of Grant County. Today, the Foundation manages over 400 charitable funds, advancing a broad range of causes that strengthen Grant County. For more information, visit www.GiveToGrant.org.
