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Sam Gould named Putnam Lilly Scholar
A South Putnam High School senior has been named the recipient of a four-year, full-tuition scholarship as the Putnam County Community Foundation 2012 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.
Samuel A. Gould, son of Timothy and Mary Gould of Greencastle, will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of his choice and a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.
Gould plans to attend Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and declare a double major in mechanical and electrical engineering. He intends to earn a master's degree and pursue a career in robotics.
During his South Putnam career, Gould served as student body president, president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, vice president of National Honor Society, and as a four-time team captain of the Academic Super Bowl.
As a senior, he was one of only 24 students in Indiana named as an Indianapolis Colts Academic All-Star.
Gould, a Hoosier Boys State delegate, has demonstrated his commitment to his community by serving as treasurer of the Putnam County Youth Philanthropy Committee. He also participated in Putnam County Teen Court and Prevention Intervention and Education (P.I.E.).
Gould is president and founder of Interact, a community service club. His athletic activities included football and golf, and he was named captain of both the swimming and diving teams.
Upon learning of his LECS award, Gould shared his gratitude for the opportunity.
"Every day I set a personal goal to make myself better than the previous day," he said in his essay. "There is always one more thing to learn, one more thing to try, and one more goal to break."
Gould was selected following a review process by the Lilly Selection Committee from the Putnam County Community Foundation.
There were more than 50 applicants. The selection committee was made up of two voting members from each area school corporation.
The process included a blind review for the first three phases, followed by a dinner in which the selection committee met with eight semifinalists. It concluded with an individual interview with the four finalists.
In February, those finalists (in addition to Gould) were announced as:
-- Emily Gill of Greencastle High School, daughter of Glen and Martha Gill.
-- Olivia Humphreys of Greencastle High School, daughter of Brian and Kandace Humphreys.
-- Jared James of North Putnam High School, son of Ray and Jill James.
The review process was based on scholastic abilities and intellectual pursuits, capacity to lead and motivate fellow students, social commitment and extracurricular involvement, and the ability to articulate career plans that demonstrate motivation and initiative.
Following the personal interview, the committee submitted its nominee to Independent Colleges of Indiana Inc. (ICI) for the selection of the recipient. ICI is a non-profit corporation that represents 31 regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state.
During the first 14 years of the LECS program 3,487 students in Indiana high schools have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships.
Established in 1985, the Putnam County Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity to administer endowments, award grants and provide leadership, enriching the quality of life and strengthening community in Putnam County.
Questions about scholarships can be addressed to Marcus Whited at 653-4978.