Lainie McAlister Named Lilly Endowment Community Scholar

The Community Foundation of Switzerland County Inc. is pleased to announce that Lainie McAlister is Switzerland County’s 2025- 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient. Lainie is the daughter of Dan and Kodi McAlister of near Patriot. 

Lainie excels academically and has participated in a diverse range of activities.  She serves as the Chapter President of FFA, is the Indiana FFA District XII Vice President, is the State Secretary of the Indiana Junior Simmental Association, serves as her Class Secretary and participated in both soccer and cross country while in high school.  She was also a camp counselor for the Southeastern Indiana 4-H Camp and has volunteered her time for numerous community organizations and events.  Lainie works several hours per week at both Roxano’s Italian Restaurant and her family’s farm.

Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Scholars also join the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects them with resources and opportunities to lead on campus and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).