Molly Wrightsman Named Switzerland County’s 2023-2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar

The Community Foundation of Switzerland County Inc. is pleased to announce that Molly Wrightsman has been selected as Switzerland County’s 2023-2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient. 

Molly is the daughter of Travis and Gayle Wrightsman of Vevay.   She excels academically and is currently ranked second in her class.  Molly is on both the volleyball and basketball teams and is very active in Business Professionals of America (BPA).  Outside of school, she has volunteered her time for youth sports camps, vacation bible school and other community events.  Molly also currently works as an Information Specialist at the Switzerland County Tourism office.  After she graduates from high school, Molly plans on majoring in journalism but is currently undecided on which Indiana college/university she plans on attending.

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

The Community Foundation of Switzerland County’s selection committee reviewed 16 applications this year.  The applicants were evaluated on academics, activities (school activities, community service, and work experience), writing samples and financial need.  The selection committee used a blind process to evaluate the applications, meaning committee members did not know whose applications they were evaluating.  After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients.

Since 1997, ICI has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment. Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities.

Lilly Endowment Inc. has provided just over $505 million in grant support for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program since the program was created for the 1997-1998 school year.  To date, more than 5,200 Indiana high school students have been awarded the scholarship.

Anyone interested in learning more information about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program can contact Melissa Andrew at the Community Foundation’s office.  The Foundation’s office is located at 303 Ferry Street in Vevay and Melissa can be reached at 812-427-9160 or mandrew@cfsci.org.