Bainbridge High School Alumni start scholarship for North Putnam students
On Thursday, Dec. 20, officers of the Bainbridge High School Alumni Association gathered at the offices of the Putnam County Community Foundation, signing documents to establish a new permanent scholarship endowment for students from the northern townships of Putnam County.
Present at the signing were Bainbridge Alumni President, Michael T. O'Hair (Class 1962), Vice President, Marilyn D. Winters (Class 1965), Treasurer, Joe Martin (Class 1965), Corresponding Secretary Alan Ader (Class 1964), and Recording Secretary, Brenda Heacock (Class 1963).
Bainbridge Alumni President Michael O'Hair spearheaded the initiative.
"I believe a scholarship endowment is one of the best ways to leave a legacy of Bainbridge High School long after all BHS alumni are no longer around. In addition it will help a lot of kids with college expenses while we are still alive."
O'Hair reported that initial goals were to establish the selection criteria for the scholarship and obtain $12,000 in donations, the minimum for a permanent endowment.
Bainbridge School was built in 1908, remodeled in 1916, and enlarged in 1922 to include a gymnasium which was at that time the largest gym in Putnam County. This school was used until its closing in 1969 when Bainbridge was consolidated with Roachdale and Russellville to form North Putnam Community Schools. Beginning in roughly 1925, the school mascot was a Pointer dog.
Over the years principals who served at Bainbridge School included Jonas Moore, Claude McKay, Bruce Lane, Clyde Wilson, Paul Crodian, Jewel Vaughn, Glen Hovermale, Sam Valentine, Chester Simler, Ernest Chilson, Albert Harshbarger, Ray Alishouse, Paul Parker, Glen Steele and Norman Evens.
Anyone may contribute to the Bainbridge High School Alumni Scholarship Endowment in honor or memory of a special person. Contributions to the Endowment are fully tax deductible as allowed by law, and may be made payable to the Putnam County Community Foundation with "Bainbridge Scholarship" in the memo, and mailed to 2 South Jackson Street, Greencastle, Indiana 46135 or online at www.pcfoundation.org.
Community Foundation staff are available to help donors make gifts of cash, stock, retirement assets, life insurance, bequests, real estate and other types of gifts.