BUCHANAN — Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, serving south Berrien and Cass counties, will provide $ 72,170 from 32 scholarship funds to 81 area students this coming school year.
“We are happy to be able to assist our area scholars as they pursue their higher education goals.” said Robert N. Habicht, president and CEO of Michigan Gateway Community Foundation. The foundation’s scholarship grants are available through non endowed gifts and a variety of permanently endowed funds created by generous donors who care for young people and their futures. Each year, the income from each of these funds is used to provide tuition payments directly to the students’ college or university. Most are for high school seniors, specifically in Berrien Springs, Buchanan, Brandywine, Cassopolis, Edwardsburg and Niles high schools. Each scholarship has its own criteria, each requires an application and each requires verification of enrollment and past academic history.
The 2011 scholarship awards were made to these students:
George and Margaret Contois Scholarship: Andre Grosse of Niles High School was the 2011 award winner. Andrew Wregglesworth, Katie Devine and Rebecca Bunch were granted renewed awards.
Jeanne Griffin Memorial Scholarship Haley Davis was the 2011 recipient. Charli Herman, Saulo Ortiz and Katie Devine were granted renewal awards.
Jane S. Davis Scholarship (Pawating Auxiliary): Hope K. Johnson received the 2011 scholarship. Nicholas Powers, Elizabeth miller, Zachary Devereaux, Ryan Hollingshead, Rachel Downs, Kylie Carpenter, Bethany Buda, Kaylynn Watkins and Kalee Antisdel were granted renewal awards.
Fay Frazee Nursing Scholarship (Pawating Auxiliary): Kourtney Peterson received the 2011 award.
O.W. Coolidge Scholarship (Niles): Jessica Norris.
Baxter Scholarship (Niles): Taylor Glick.
Sarley Family Scholarship (Niles): Riley Robson
Mary Swan Scholarship (Niles): Ashley McOmber
Ellis Memorial Scholarship (Buchanan): Bryan Kuntz and Ryan Henckel
Swartz Memorial Scholarship (Buchanan): Dylan Arnold
Rotzien Scholarship (Buchanan ): Krystal Avance and Anna Marie Hughes
Janet Funk Racht Memorial Scholarship (Buchanan): Madeline Higgins
Eugene Smith Scholarship (Buchanan): Zachary Determan
Walter E. Schirmer Memorial Scholarship (Buchanan): Ryan Henckel is the 2011 recipient. Jeffrey Kruchkow, Zach Devereaux and Adam Byrdak were granted a renewal scholarship.
Ann Coulston Memorial Scholarship (Brandywine):  Taylor Mattiford
Stephen Tyler Memorial Scholarship (Niles): Chris Noble and Whitney Ellis
Roma Holmes Scholarship (Buchanan): Jacob Wahlstrom
Ruediger and Karin Kappe Scholarship (Buchanan): Chelsea Kring
Hike for Higher Education Scholarship (Buchanan): Kristine Gordon
Unity Hospital Education Fund Health Careers Scholarship: Corey Thompson, Marcus Griffey, Ashley Devereaux, Anna Marie Hughes, Taylor Mondeschein and Carley Blake were the 2011 recipients. Shanna Siewert, Rachel Letcher, Rachel Downs, Courtney Soley, Alyssa Kruchkow, Amanda Brohman, Colin Davis, Kaleigh Rowe, Ryan Hollingshead, Zachary Devereaux and Tori Eger were granted renewal awards.
Buchanan Lions Club Scholarship: Ryan Henckel
Lee F. Auble Memorial Scholarship (Berrien Springs) Alex Moore was the 2011 recipient.
Caryl Beck-Miller Pets Alive Scholarship (Ross Beatty Senior High School): Jeremiah Lee.
Rotary Club of Niles-Buchanan Scholarship: Lena Miles, Haley Davis and Steven Van Alstine were the 2011 recipients. Katie Devine, Holly Lucas, Jacob Wilson, Rachel Letcher, Ambrosia Neldon, Jasmine Neldon,
Kyle Miller, Michael Harper and Shelby Welbaum were granted renewal awards.
Lloyd Bywaters Memorial Scholarship (Edwardsburg) : Brandon Gregg
Joseph Norton Sheteron Memorial Scholarship (Ross Beatty): Tom First was the 2011 recipient.  Joshua Wooden, Reva Ivens, and Stephanie Vlasicak were granted renewal awards.
1973 Alumni Scholarship (Brandywine): Daniel Cauffman
Jay and Cecile McCombs Scholarship (Brandywine): Cassandra Kelly
Ida Hacking Memorial Scholarship (Buchanan): Rachel Briggs was granted a continuation of the 4 year scholarship
For more information on scholarships and other grant opportunities, or to establish a new scholarship or endowment with Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, call Robert N. Habicht at 695-3521.