Special to The Message
In December, Reitz Memorial High School senior Luke Woodyard was named a Vanderburgh County 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient.
The scholarship provides full tuition, required fees and an annual stipend of up to $900 for required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. The scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, extracurricular activities, two essays and a selective interview process.
Woodyard is the son of James and Laura Woodyard. He has volunteered with Reitz Memorial’s Incognito Instructors and the Boys and Girls Club. He is an active member of Scouts BSA, where he achieved recognition as an Eagle Scout. During high school, Woodyard participated in tennis, cross country and track, along with being a member of the Academic Team and International Club.
In college, Woodyard is interested in studying industrial engineering.
Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character and leadership.
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.
Sidney Hardgrave, Vanderburgh Community Foundation regional director of community engagement and impact, said in a press release, “This year’s recipients impressed the committee with their accomplishments, leadership skills and maturity.”
“Our community has many students who excel both academically and in service to others,” Hardgrave said. “The selection process is never easy.”
Since its inception for the 1998-99 school year, Lilly Endowment has supported the Community Scholarship Program. More than 5,200 Indiana students have received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship with grants totaling more than $505 million.
The primary purposes of the 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.