Marshall Community Foundation Scholarships Offered to Students Pursuing Skilled Trades

MARSHALL, Mich.—The Marshall Community Foundation offers numerous scholarships for graduating seniors looking to pursue education and/or technical training in the skilled trades beyond high school. These opportunities are made possible by the generosity of donors, family and friends of the community.

“The skilled trades – areas such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, public safety, transportation and service, for example – are in high demand,” said Shannon Tiernan, MCF executive director. “We encourage everyone who is interested in pursuing careers in areas like these to review the scholarship options available for you.”

Following are brief summaries of the 2024 Scholarships offered by the Foundation.

Coury and Kesselring Natural Resources Scholarship: Awarded to Calhoun County residents seeking to further their education in natural resources or a related field at any Michigan college or university.

Dube and Katie Scholarship: Awarded to Marshall High School graduating seniors who have experienced a major life loss or challenge and have overcome it or are persevering to overcome it. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and be pursuing a college, technical, or trade school degree.

Michael Hamaker Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to a graduating senior or previous graduate from Marshall, Olivet or the surrounding area seeking a career in engineering, manufacturing or industrial technologies with programs such as, but not limited to, architecture, construction, drafting, electronics, welding and/or other related technologies.

The Marshall Community Foundation Scholarship: Awarded to non-traditional student(s), defined as adults who are returning or have returned to school after a lapse of one or more years. Eligible applicants must reside in the Marshall area, prove financial need, demonstrate leadership skills, strong work ethic and a proven desire to be active members of their communities.  Deadline May 1.

Network Vivian Lusch Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to non-traditional student(s), defined as adults who are returning or have returned to school after a lapse of one or more years. The recipient may be pursuing a degree, classes to enhance current employment opportunities, or professional development activities, such as, workshops, seminars, trade classes, etc. Eligible applicants must reside in the Marshall Library District or have a child attending MPS, exemplify positive character traits, prove financial need, and be goal oriented. Previous recipients are eligible to reapply. Deadline May 1.

Harvey Randall Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to a Tekonsha High School graduating senior to assist with expenses in the first year of post-secondary education. Applicants should demonstrate community and school involvement.

Herold and Retta Reuss Public Safety Scholarship: Awarded to Marshall-area residents pursuing a career in the criminal justice, emergency medical services, or other related fields, such as but not limited to, fireman, policeman, legal secretary or dispatcher. Applicants must demonstrate the drive and ability to be successful in pursuing a college education and/or a certification process in the fields aforementioned.

Dale Rosene Alaska Great Lakes Project Scholarship: Awarded to Marshall High School graduating seniors or previous MHS graduates seeking a degree at a two- or four-year institution as a full- or part-time student. Students attending trade school or seeking other specialized training are also encouraged to apply. Applicants should exhibit the characteristics of the FISH! Philosophy. (For more information regarding FISH! Philosophy visit www.fishphilosophy.com).

George B. Sherman Scholarship: Awarded to Marshall-area graduating seniors, or Marshall-area residents 20 years of age or younger who have earned their GED, pursuing a two- or four- year degree or advanced education and/or training in the skilled trades. Applicant should show evidence of involvement in co- or extra-curricular activities or volunteerism related to the applicant’s field of interest.

Jack L. Sherman Scholarship: Awarded to Marshall-area graduating seniors, or Marshall-area residents 20 years of age or younger who have earned their GED, pursuing a two- or four- year degree or advanced education and/or training in the skilled trades. Applicant should show evidence of involvement in co- or extra-curricular activities or volunteerism related to the applicant’s field of interest.

LaVern Smith Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to members of a 4-H or a FFA chapter within Calhoun County. Applicants must be seniors in high school or enrolled in a technical school or college, and under the age of 19 at the time the application is submitted.

UAW Local 220 Scholarship: Awarded to graduating seniors from Barry, Branch, Calhoun and Eaton Counties who will be attending a trade school, community college and/or a four-year institution. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, leadership skills, involvement in the community and extracurricular activities. Preference may be given to applicants related to UAW members and/or retirees.

Aart VanElst Scholarship: Awarded to a Marshall High School graduating senior who plans to attend a trade school, community college and/or a four-year institution. Applicants must demonstrate community and school involvement, a strong work ethic and financial need.

Zink Family Scholarship: Awarded to residents of Marshall and surrounding townships pursuing an education or advanced training in skilled trades, as defined by the Committee and reflective of current industry needs, including but not limited to, the fields of healthcare technician, agriculture, information technology, manufacturing, construction or automotive. Applicants must prove admission to a two- or four-year college or an apprenticeship program through a member-college of the U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship College Consortium.

For more information about these and other scholarships available at the Marshall Community Foundation, contact staff at (269) 781-2273 or [email protected].

###


The Marshall Community Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving quality of life in Marshall, and throughout Calhoun County. The Foundation holds permanently endowed funds from a range of donors, and serves as a conduit for special projects and the distribution of grants in support of innovative programs. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.marshallcf.org.