Katie Welch named Lilly Scholarship recipient for county

Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Katie Welch

Kathryn (Katie) Welch, daughter of Debra Welch and Thomas Welch, has been named the Putnam County Community Foundation's 2013 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar (LECS).

The prestigious scholarship will provide full tuition and fees for four years' attendance at the Indiana college or university of her choice. In addition she will receive a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.

Welch plans to attend Purdue University to major in pharmaceutical science. She intends to earn a doctorate and pursue a career as a pharmacist.

During her North Putnam High School career she served as student body president and was a member of SADD, Spell Bowl, Science Team and Spanish Club.

Also a gifted athlete, Welch earned four varsity volleyball letters and was a senior captain this past fall. She also holds three varsity track letters, two varsity softball letters and has been a member of both the NPHS dance and competition cheer squads.

As class valedictorian, she received numerous academic recognitions each year of her high school years. Outside of school, Welch has been involved in 4-H, Adopt-a-Highway, clothing and food distribution, vacation Bible school leadership and tutoring.

Upon learning of her award, the NPHS senior expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be this year's Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.

"I've dedicated much of my high school career to getting involved," Welch said in her essay. "I made it a point to increase my participation in the community so I can make a difference. I want to be a part of a community where people help each other when it is needed, without reservation or hesitation."

Welch was selected following a review process by the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Selection Committee from the Putnam County Community Foundation.

The Selection Committee was composed of eight voting members, with two members residing within each of the geographical areas served by the four county school corporations.

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is highly competitive. There were more than 40 applicants for the one scholarship award.

The selection 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 individual interviews with five finalists. The selection criteria is 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 interviews, the committee submitted its nominee to Independent Colleges of Indiana Inc. (ICI) for final 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.

The scholarships are the result of a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative to help Hoosier students reach higher levels of education. There were 142 scholarships awarded statewide. During the first 15 years of the LECS program 3,629 students in Indiana high schools have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships.

The Putnam County Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity established in 1985 to administer endowments, award grants and provide leadership, enriching the quality of life and strengthening community in Putnam County.

The Foundation administers more than 230 funds and endowments for donors, supporting a variety of charitable purposes.

Questions about scholarships may be addressed to Dean Gambill at 653-4978.

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