Klotz and Parent are 2010 Putnam County Lilly Scholars
Two Putnam County students have been named recipients of full-tuition, four-year scholarships as the Putnam County Community Foundation's 2010 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars (LECS).
Seniors Megan Klotz of South Putnam High School and Dakota Parent of North Putnam High School will receive full tuition to any Indiana public or private college or university of their choice and an $800 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.
To qualify for Lilly Scholarships, the students must choose college or university that is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Klotz, the daughter of Michael and Lisa Klotz of Cloverdale, has been accepted at three Indiana higher education institutions -- Franklin College, Purdue University and the University of Indianapolis. She plans to major in psychology, and her career goal is to pursue licensure as a psychiatrist.
Parent, the daughter of Douglas and Staci Parent of Russellville, has been accepted at two Indiana higher education institutions -- Purdue University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. She plans to major in engineering. Her career goal is to "make Putnam County a better place to live."
The LECS scholarship selection committee of the Putnam County Community Foundation selected five finalists for personal interviews from a field of 68 candidates. They were chosen for scholastic ability, moral and social commitment, the capacity to lead, and the ability to articulate a career plan.
Finalists nominated for awards were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) for the selection of the recipients. ICI is a nonprofit 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. Indiana ranks among the lowest states in the percentage of residents over the age of 25 with a bachelor's degree.
There were 216 scholarships awarded statewide.