BUCHANAN— The Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, serving South Berrien and Cass Counties, will provide $75,475 from 43 scholarship funds to 77 area students this coming school year.

“We are happy to be able to assist our area scholars as they pursue their higher education goals,” said Robert N. Habicht, president and CEO of Michigan Gateway Community Foundation.

The foundation’s scholarship grants are available through non-endowed gifts and a variety of permanently endowed funds created by generous donors who care for young people and their futures.

Each year, the income from each of these funds is used to provide tuition payments directly to the students’ college or university. Most are for high school seniors, specifically in Berrien Springs, Buchanan, Brandywine, Cassopolis, Edwardsburg and Niles High Schools.

Each scholarship has its own criteria, each requires an application, and each requires verification of enrollment and past academic history.

The 2016 Scholarship awards were made to these students:

• George and Margaret Contois Scholarship — Alex Brown of Niles High School was the 2016 award winner. Jordan Rohl, Libby Hein, and Emma Doud were granted renewed awards.

• Jeanne Griffin Memorial Scholarship — Jasmine Love was the 2016 recipient. Emma Doud, Paige Lamb and Allison Grant were granted renewal awards.

• Jane S. Davis Scholarship (Lakeland Auxiliary) — Alyssa Bolen of Brandywine High School and Kaitlyn Ward of Buchanan High School received the 2016 scholarship.

• Fay Frazee Nursing Scholarship (Lakeland Auxiliary) — Lexie Gast of Niles New Tech received the 2016 award.

• O.W. Coolidge Scholarship (Niles High School) — Jasmin Brann

• Baxter Scholarship (Niles High School) — Chelsea Best

• Sarley Family Scholarship (Niles H. S.) — Natelie Swailes

• Mary Swan Scholarship (Niles High School) — Karla Espinoza

• Ellis Memorial Scholarship (Buchanan High School) — Chyanne Prentice

• Swartz Memorial Scholarship (Buchanan High School) — Catlin Prentice

• Rotzien Scholarship (Buchanan High School) — Tanis Siewert.

• Janet Funk Racht Memorial Scholarship (Buchanan High School) — Daniel Backus

• Janet L. Mottl Memorial Scholarship (Buchanan High School) — Dravyn Patterson

• Ray Ricordati, Jr. Memorial Scholarship (Buchanan High School) — Christian Orphanidis

• Berniece Samson Scholarship (Buchanan High School) — Cesilee Tackett

• Donna Raymond Scholarship (Buchanan High School) — James Norris

• Ray E. Babcock Memorial Scholarship (Buchanan High School) — McKayla Lukkarila

• Mary Ella Powell Memorial Scholarship (Buchanan High School) — Travis Risener and Christian Orphanidis

• Eugene Smith Scholarship (Buchanan High School) — Sydney Hildebrandt.

• Walter E. Schirmer Memorial Scholarship (Buchanan High School) — Nicole Mucha the 2016 recipient. Jeff Mucha was granted a renewal scholarship.

• Ann Coulston Memorial Scholarship (Brandywine H.S.) — Rachel Szilagi

• Stephen Tyler Memorial Scholarship (Niles H.S.) — Larry Lamb and Kelsey Barton

• Roma Holmes Scholarship (Buchanan H.S.) — Jade Mosier.

• Ruediger and Karin Kappe Scholarship (Buchanan H.S.) — Jennifer Lewis

• Hike for Higher Education Scholarship (Buchanan High School) — Christian Orphanidis

• Unity Hospital Education Fund Health Careers Scholarship — Keiran Baginske, Dina King, Cesilee Tackett, and Kaitlyn Ward were the 2016 recipients. Luke Higgins, Clara Cornwell, Alex Martinez, Alexis Meahl, Jayla Carrigan, Madeline Vorrath and Kristen Canfield were granted renewal awards.

• Buchanan-Galien Lions Club Scholarship — Hana Bradbury, Nicole Mucha, and Emma Schmidt

• Trull Family Scholarship (Buchanan High School) — Emma Schmidt

• Lee F. Auble Memorial Scholarship (Berrien Springs High School) — Meagan Diedrich was the 2016 recipient.

• Cassopolis School Foundation Scholarship (Ross Beatty HS) — Dylan Armstrong, Emily Dussel and Kaylyn Forrest were the 2016 recipients. Olivia Hertsel was awarded a renewal grant.

• Rotary Club of Niles-Buchanan Scholarship — Maya Brookins (Niles), Anna Lancaster (Brandywine) and Alex Lindamood (Buchanan) were the 2016 recipients. Caitlyn Cummins was granted a renewal award.

• Lloyd Bywaters Memorial Scholarship (Edwardsburg High School) — Madison Sager

• Joseph Norton Sheteron Memorial Scholarship (Cassopolis Ross Beatty HS) — Daniel Duebner was the 2016 recipient. Rachelle Williams was granted a renewal award.

• Caryl Beck-Miller Pets Alive Scholarship (Cassopolis Ross Beatty HS) — Daniel Duebner

• 1973 Alumni Scholarship (Brandywine High School) — Alyssa Bolen

• Carol A. Thurston Memorial Scholarship (Brandywine High School) — Sydney Carlson was the 2016 recipient. Kelly Harper was granted a renewal award.

• Ralph and Margaret Vosburgh Family Scholarship (Brandywine HS) — Zach Grishaber

• Brandywine Class of 67 Memorial Scholarship — Lori Juhasz

• Jay and Cecile McCombs Scholarship (Brandywine High School) — James Harrell

• Ida Hacking Memorial Scholarship (Buchanan High School) — Evelyn Batres was granted a continuation of the four-year scholarship

• Semper Fi Cpl. Ian Stewart Memorial Scholarship — Chase Eggleton

For more information on scholarships and other grant opportunities, or to establish a new scholarship or endowment with Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, contact Rob Habicht, at (269) 695-3521.