Lily Bennett

“The Lilly Endowment has been quite generous to our county since their highly-competitive scholarship program began in 1998,” said Leeann Wright, executive director of the Community Foundation. “We are proud of all our applicants and finalists – this year, we had 17 students apply from three of the schools that serve Pulaski County residents: Winamac Community, West Central and Culver Community. Through an intensive application process, Lily Bennett was selected to represent Pulaski County in this prestigious program.”

The finalists for Pulaski County's 2024 Lilly Scholarship were Alexa Schultz from West Central High School, and Kelsey Wegner, Bianca Huizar, Lily Bennett and Maggie Smith from Winamac Community High School.

The number of LECS scholarships is based on county population. In Pulaski County, the Community Foundation coordinates the LECS Scholarship Committee, who review applications based on specific criteria: Academic Performance, Community Service and Leadership, and Character and Values. The committee then narrows down the field of applicants through a scored rubric and interview process and submits Pulaski County’s recommended nominee to the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. ICI reviews the selection of scholarship recipients and approves the finalists and scholarship recipient.

Funding for the LECS scholarship is provided by the Lilly Endowment and provides for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for up to four years. The scholarship is for undergraduate students studying on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.

Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to ICI and Indiana Humanities.

Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1998-99 school year and has supported the program every year since with grants totaling in excess of $505 million. More than 5,200 Indiana students – 43 from Pulaski County – have received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since the program’s inception.

The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.

 

Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFPC) builds resources, engages people, and inspires generosity to enrich lives in Pulaski County, Indiana.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. However, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.

Since 1997, Independent Colleges of Indiana has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment. Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.

  
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Local News Briefs

Burn Ban issued for Pulaski County

A burn ban was issued early Friday afternoon for Pulaski County until further notice.

Eleven Indiana counties are currently reporting active burn bans, including neighboring Starke and White counties. For updated information visit https://www.in.gov/ai/dhs/burnban.pdf

Next Mobile Food Pantry visit March 21

LAFAYETTE - Food Finders Food Bank Mobile Pantry will distribute food, including fresh produce, an assortment of frozen items, essential non-perishable items, and breads to people in need in the Pulaski County area Friday, March 21.

The event will be held at 11 a.m., at the Star City United Methodist Church. This program is available to those in need of food assistance and who meet income guidelines.

Yakym district staff to hold local mobile office hours March 24

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) has announced that his staff will hold mobile office hours in Pulaski County March 24, in Winamac.

Yakym’s mobile office will visit throughout Indiana's Second District in February to assist constituents with casework questions.

'Traditions!' Broadway favorite 'Fiddler on the Roof' returns to Winamac stage April 4-6

 WINAMAC - The Tony award-winning, Broadway favorite Fiddler on the Roof will return to the Winamac Community High School stage the weekend of April 4-6

The school’s drama department will present the classic musical which follows the story of Tevye, a Jewish peasant in pre-revolutionary Russia in the early 1900s. The dairyman father struggles to maintain his traditional values while attempting to marry off three of his daughters who have modern romantic ideals - all while growing anti-Semitic sentiment threatens his village.

PCPL lists March activities, programs

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for March. The include free trees for Earth Week, an adult refrigerator magnet craft, and kids’ “spring break bingo.”

For more information on any program, call the library at 574-946-3432 or visit the library’s website at www.pulaskicounty.lib.in.us.

  

Indiana News

Update: Avian Influenza continues to affect wild birds across Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS (March 3) - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to detect highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds throughout Indiana and has currently detected the H5NI virus in 30 counties.

HPAI is also suspected in an additional 32 counties based on reports involving the deaths of raptors, cranes, and waterfowl. Thirteen affected birds have been reported in Pulaski County, with significantly high cases found in neighboring Starke and Jasper counties.

Young receives subcommittee chairmanships, assignments

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 3) – U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) has announced his two subcommittee chairmanships and five additional subcommittee assignments for the 119th Congress.

Yakym concludes Indiana Innovation Tour

WARSAW (Feb. 21) - Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) concluded his Indiana Innovation Tour Friday, which included stops across the second district.

At each stop, Yakym talked with Hoosiers about a wide range of issues important to them, including regulations, taxes, jobs, the economy, a secure southern border, government efficiency and more.

Rep. Culp to serve on U.S. EPA Local Government Advisory Committee

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 13) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently appointed State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) as a member of its Local Government Advisory Committee.

Culp said there are numerous advisory committees with the purpose to help the president and executive branch better understand key topics. The main job of the committee is to tackle critical problems by working with the different governing bodies to develop common sense, long-lasting solutions.

Indiana COVID-19 News

Respiratory illnesses on downward trend in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Health reported March 5 that COVID-like illness emergency department visits numbered 331 statewide from Feb. 19-25, down 57from its previous weekly report. There were no state COVID-19 hospital admissions during that time period, and one (reported) COVID death.

In addition, the CDC reported Feb. 26, that the state's level of respiratory illness activity is "high" for the week ending Feb. 22 - an improvement from "very high" earlier in the month.

  

Post News

New partnership to address mental health, substance use issues in Pulaski County

WINAMAC (March 6) – The newly-appointed State Court Behavioral Health administrator has connected with the Pulaski County Community Navigator program to more fully address mental health and substance use issues in the county.

The new state administrator, Brittany Kelly, is working to gain insight on the county’s Navigator program, located in the superior court, which provides connection services to county residents for a variety of needs/issues.

Keystone’s Troike to retire after 43 years in Co-Op system

INDIANAPOLIS – After a 43-year career in the cooperative system, Keystone Cooperative executive vice president Jeff Troike has announced his retirement which will officially take effect Aug.31.

A steadfast advocate for agriculture and a visionary leader in agribusiness, Troike leaves behind a legacy of innovation, servant leadership, and unwavering commitment to farmer-members.

Suspect in custody, but police seek info on possible additional burglaries

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s office reports an arrest was made Wednesday (March 5) in Kentucky of a 48-year-old Louisiana man in connection to a residential burglary early last month north of Winamac.

Sheriff’s deputy Sgt. Seth Barton said the Feb. 8 incident involved a male subject allegedly impersonating a utility company representative who stole a large sum of money from the elderly resident and then fled the area.

Pulaski County Republican, Democrat parties choose officers

Pulaski County’s Republican and Democrat political parties held their reorganizational meetings Saturday (March 1), as required by rules determined by each organization.

Ken Boswell will become the new chairperson of the county’s Republican party, while Doug Denton will continue as chairperson of the Democrat party; both for four-year terms.

Alliance Bank provides tips to protect against check fraud

FRANCESVILLE - Alliance Bank has joined forces with the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) in partnership with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on an initiative to help clients protect themselves from the growing threat of check fraud.

In support of this initiative, Alliance Bank offers educational materials and personal guidance to ensure customers have the tools they need to safeguard their financial assets and respond if they experience check fraud.