Helen Behnke scholarship established at SMC
Published 10:55 pm Thursday, June 16, 2005
By Staff
Southwestern Michigan College is fortunate to have strong supporters like Heidi Behnke.
Her family's continued support of higher education has provided students with the opportunity to pursue career dreams they may have never had the chance to do without a scholarship.
Heidi Behnke was personally thanked by the SMC Board of Trustees for her recent creation of the Helen Behnke Memorial Scholarship Fund by presenting her a certificate of appreciation during Tuesday night's board meeting.
The Behnke family has been a long-time scholarship donor to the college.
After Heidi's brother, David Behnke, died in 1996, Heidi and her mother decided to set up a scholarship fund in his name.
In March, Behnke's mother, Helen, passed away. Heidi decided to set up a fund in her mother's name as well.
Behnke hopes both funds will help students in need complete their education.
David Behnke's scholarship fund goes toward helping students pursuing a mechanical engineering degree. Her mother Helen's scholarship fund goes toward a student pursuing a fine and performing arts degree. "My mother was very involved with Beckwith and loved to sing, dance and act. She would have wanted this scholarship fund to show that side of her personality," Behnke said.