2 Lilly Scholars 2 Board Sets New Policy 3 Welcome Ruth Hallam 3 Summer Intern 4 -7 Scholarship Recipients 7 Memorials/New Funds 8 Scholarship Application Online FALL 2013 Grateful Scholarship Recipient Meets Delighted Benefactor Kismet or destiny, it was evident it was a meant-to-be relationship when donor Pat (DeCoursey) Cercos and her scholarship recipient, Erika Matson, met for the first time this past June. The two were instant friends, sharing stories and laughs, hopes and dreams. When the Community Foundation scholarship committees select recipients, great care is taken to make selections that best fit the award for which the student is being chosen. Never have these efforts been more apparent than the day Pat and Erika met. Back in 2002, with what she called, “not a huge amount of money,” Pat honored her parents by creating the Albert and Freda Eder DeCoursey Scholarship Fund in the Clay County Community Foundation. Erika Matson and Pat (DeCoursey) Cercos “I really wanted the scholarship to stay with the same person throughout the years he or she was getting a degree,” Pat said. education, in doing what my parents would have wanted Erika was the third recipient of the DeCoursey Scholarship, me to do.” which she was awarded for all four of her years at DePauw University. The Clay County resident graduated this past spring Erika was equally complimentary about her benefactor. “Pat with a degree in music and was hired as band director and is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” she said. “She’s general music teacher for South Vermillion Middle and High very interested in what I’m going to be doing with the students School. and wants me to keep in touch. One thing that makes her so amazing is that she wants to do even more, and for me she’s The DeCoursey Scholarship is for a graduate of a Clay County already done so much!” high school planning to pursue a degree in art or music. It seemed like a miracle to Pat that two of the DeCoursey Kelli Miller, the Foundation's program director, arranged the scholars, Ellis Gebert (2003-2007) and Erika, became band meeting, where Erika was able to thank Pat personally. “I was masters, as this was the vocation that Pat's mother, Freda, had grateful for the DeCoursey scholarship because it allowed me cherished for many years. to spend more time studying and doing all the extra things I needed to do to succeed as a student, instead of spending so Freda retired in 1972 after 26 years with the Staunton/Posey much of my time working,” she explained. Township schools. There she “built a good music program grade by grade,” Pat said. Husband Albert loved music and supported Pat praised the staff at the Community Foundation for its part Freda’s efforts. Pat set up the scholarship for a student in making her charitable goals a reality. “Working with the studying the creative or performing arts or arts education. Community Foundation is wonderful,” she explained. “They keep us well-informed about their work. The decisions are “Meeting Erika was a delight,” Pat said. “It was wonderful to made by local volunteers. And I know my money is being well see a young person with a passion like my mother’s to be a managed with professionalism and ethics.” music educator. I’m so glad I could have a small part in her 2901 Ohio Boulevard, Suite 153, Terre Haute, Indiana 47803 812.232.2234 wvcf.com 2013 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars Trevor Burch, North Central High Christopher Schenck, Terre Haute School, attends Rose-Hulman North Vigo High School, attends Institute of Technology where he Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is studying Computer Science. where he is undecided on a major. In During high school, he participated high school, he was president of the in the Academic Super Bowl, the National Honor Society and co-captain Spell Bowl and the Technology of the basketball team. He also played Student Association (TEAMS). soccer and was a member of Key Trevor was active in theater and the Club and Link Crew. Christopher was Ambassadors Honor Choir all four an active member of the JUMMP years at North Central, and he was youth group and ran his own lawn also the manager and announcer service all four years of for the varsity baseball team. He was high school. involved in 4-H Junior Leaders and 4-H Curry Nomads and was a member of Unhindered Student Ministries. He also served at Olivia Butterman, West Vigo High the Fairbanks Volunteer Fire Department. School, attends the University of Evansville and plans to study Clinical Conrad Koehler, Northview High School, attends Purdue Psychology. While at West Vigo, University where he is seeking a degree she was an active member of the in Engineering. While in high school, marching band, concert band, jazz he was involved in marching band band and theater. Involved with both and winter drumline all four years. the National Honor Society and He served as the president of his Link Club, Olivia also played on the senior class and the German Club. soccer team and golf team, where He also held officer positions in other she received the Mental Attitude organizations and was an active Award. Outside of school, she was a member of 4-H for 10 years. Conrad member of the St. Mary’s Village Church youth group. She also volunteered his time at Big Brother/ demonstrated leadership in 4-H, participating in the 4-H Junior Big Sister, YMCA, the humane Leaders, Swine Club and Alpaca Club. shelter and Clay County Hospital. He hopes to remain in Clay County after graduation to help his father on their family farm. Board Sets New Policy for Large Grant Requests The Board of Directors of the Wabash Valley Community such requests that provide matching funds for endowments. Foundation recently approved a policy statement that The policy states that deadlines for receiving applications for governs applications for large grants. This policy addresses large grants are the same as for other grants (June 1 and grant requests in excess of $30,000, as well as most November 1) and that these applicants will compete equally with requests in support of capital funds campaigns. all other applicants. The Board considered that these requests, while representing Any organization considering applying for a large grant or a significant investment in the community, also represent a matching grant is encouraged to contact the Foundation as soon considerable portion of the funds available for distribution by the as possible in its planning process. Such early contacts might Foundation in any given year. allow the Foundation’s staff to advise how the application might be structured so that it is within the scope of the Foundation’s In general, the policy: 1) sets a cap on capital campaign granting resources. Please direct questions to Executive Director requests at $30,000 or 10% of the total amount being sought Beth Tevlin at 812-232-2234. in the campaign, whichever is lesser; and 2) gives preference to 2 Ruth Hallam Joins the Foundation Staff Tear Off FormTear Here Ruth Hallam has joined the Community Foundation staff as administrative assistant. She replaces Help provide more scholarship funds Kathy Davis, who is now program for deserving youth! assistant for the Foundation. Please send this form and your contribution to: Ruth has more than 30 years of Wabash Valley Community Foundation experience in administrative positions 2901 Ohio Boulevard, Suite 153 with Indiana State University, the Sisters Terre Haute, IN 47803 of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and others. While at SMW, Ruth worked Name: with the annual and planned giving programs. She studied human services Address: and women’s services through the SMWC WED program and has participated in many professional development classes and seminars. A native of Marshall, Ill., Ruth now lives in Terre Haute with her husband Enclosed is my contribution of: Steve. She enjoys playing with her grandchildren, as well as golf, camping, quilting, reading and her dog, Bug. $2,500 $ 5,000 to establish $1,000 a new named $500 fund Meet Our Summer Intern, $250 Please contact Alyssa Galinaitis $100 me about $50 making a Alyssa Galinaitis was our summer gift of stock legal intern, assisting with various $25 legal matters of the Foundation. My contribution is to support: Alyssa is in her final year of law school at Mississippi College School of Law Clay County Scholarship Fund in Jackson, Mississippi. While in law Sullivan County Scholarship Fund school Alyssa has participated in Vigo County Scholarship Fund various community outreach activities at her school, most notably the school’s adoption clinic, which provides adoption My contribution is services at no cost to the indigent of the in honor of or in memory of state of Mississippi. She has also worked with the local Boys and Girls Club. Upon her graduation Alyssa intends to remain involved in her local community (name) and provide pro bono legal services to those in need. We wish her the best in her final year of law school and in her career. Please Notify: Name: Kathy Davis New Program Assistant Address: Congratulations to Kathy Davis for assuming the role of program assistant for the Community Foundation! Kathy has been the Foundation's administrative assistant for more than five years and I would like to receive more information about brings valuable experience and enthusiasm to her new position. establishing a fund in my family’s name. 3 I would like to receive information about establishing a scholarship fund.