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BERRIEN COUNTY — Berrien Community Foundation is awarding $45,000 in scholarships to Niles, Brandywine and Buchanan students as part of its scholarship program, which awarded more than a half million dollars last night.

Berrien Community Foundation (BCF) hosted its “Knowledge Is Sweet” Scholarship Celebration June 13 at Grand Upton Hall at Lake Michigan College. The evening was full of fun and sweet treats as pursuing higher education was compared to the board game Candy Land.

Eleven students from southern Berrien County received a combined $45,000 in scholarships. Those students are: Felland Scholarship: Payton Yarbrough (Southwestern Michigan College); Frederick S. Upton Opportunity Scholarship: Sean Goodger (Niles), Paul Thomas (Niles), Brianne Webb (Buchanan); James and Bernadette McKittrick Agricultural and Environmental Scholarship: Andrew George (Niles); Jon and Chenai Gillispie Trades Scholarship: Gaige Neumann (Niles); June Rollinger Family Scholarship: Kaylyn Moore (Niles); Lora Wile-Miller Memorial Scholarship: Madison Cornelius (Buchanan); Marion and Dan Crossman Scholarship: Kadence Bixby (Niles); Maybury Scholarship: Kahlie Snowdon (Buchanan); Wilson Family Scholarship: Wesley McGinn (New Buffalo).

In total, 91 scholarships were awarded to 86 students from across Berrien County and Hartford for a grand total of $533,000.

“For the first time ever, we are sending more than a half million dollars out to students chasing their academic goals,” said BCF President Lisa Cripps-Downey. “That is $500,000 in student loans that they collectively don’t have to worry about. It’s because of our wonderful and generous donors that we have reached this milestone.”

BCF offers scholarships for graduating high school seniors, students currently in college, adults returning to the classroom and students going into the trades.

Four new scholarships were added to BCF for the 2023-2024 school year — the David and Kathleen Bradley Scholarship, the Jon and Chenai Gillispie Trades Scholarship, New Futures Scholarship and the Ruth Ann and Louis Harvey Benton Harbor Youth HBCU Scholarship.

The David and Kathleen Bradley Scholarship was established by the Bradleys to support the educational goals of graduates at Watervliet High School pursuing a future in visual arts or the sciences. David was a science teacher and Kathleen taught art at Watervliet Public Schools.

The Jon and Chenai Gillispie Trades Scholarship was begun by Jon and Chenai Gillispie to highlight the importance of the trades as well as to support students from Berrien County who want to pursue a career in them.

The New Futures Scholarship was established by an anonymous donor to support immigrant students or the children of immigrants in Berrien County. Additionally, each recipient will be a first-generational college student. 

The Ruth Ann and Louis Harvey Benton Harbor Youth HBCU Scholarship was established by the Harvey family in memory of Louis and his wife, Ruth Ann. Louis was a physical education and health teacher at Benton Harbor Area Schools for 46 years and became a multi-sport coach. Ruth Ann was also vital in helping Benton Harbor students become college-ready and prepare them for life off the basketball court. This scholarship aims to continue their legacy of giving back to one’s community.

“It’s because of families like the Bradleys, Gillispies and Harveys that we are able to say that, to date, Berrien Community Foundation has awarded more than $4.3 million to local students,” said Berrien Community Foundation Program Director Susan Matheny. “There’s so much to experience at college or trade school. These scholarships allow students to learn and explore all that higher education has to offer.”

BCF scholarships are established by donors to support students who excel in academics, community service, the arts, or are pursuing a particular career path. Volunteers from the community sit on review committees to make award recommendations to BCF Board of Directors.