CCCF names 2015 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar
Last Updated on March 30, 2015 by cassnetwork
Good news travels fast. A few seconds after being called to his school’s main office this morning, Joe Bean, a Pioneer High School senior, took out his cell phone and sent a message to his sister, Kaley. Two years ago, he was standing by her side as she soaked in the news of being named Cass County’s Lilly Scholar. Today, the roles were reversed.
As the Cass County Community Foundation 2015 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, Joseph J. Bean will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of his choice and a $900 stipend each year for required books and equipment.
Joe is the son of James and Cindy Bean. He plans to attend Purdue University and pursue a degree in electrical engineering. He also intends to audition for the drumline in the Purdue All-American Marching Band. According to CCCF, he admits to being fascinated with emerging technology and 3D printing, but his long-term goals are to work with engineers and businesses to develop home automation technology.
He is president of the National Honor Society, vice president of FCA, captain of the Varsity Quiz Bowl Team, an Academic Superbowl member, Thespian and member of the band, where he is an accomplished musician playing several instruments. Joe is an active volunteer iwth his church and serves as an assistant Sunday School teacher, volunteers at the food pantry and created and maintains the church website. During his high school career, Joe worked for the Pioneer School Corporation as an audio engineering and an aquatic timing technician. He has also created and produced videos on his YouTube channel while collaborating with his sister, Kaley, Cass County’s 2013 Lilly recipient.
As this morning’s congratulatory photo opportunities wound down, Joe, who set a goal of graduating early and completing high school in three years, found a quick moment by himself and snuck a selfie with the symbolic lily the Community Foundation presents to the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient.
Joe will be the 9th recipient from Pioneer High School and the 34th Lilly Scholar for Cass County since the program began in 1998. There have been several recipients since that time who have also had siblings named finalists but Joe and Kaley are the first siblings to win the scholarship since Matthew Blume in 2000 and Brian Blume in 2003.
The Cass County Community Foundation received 24 applications for the 2015 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. Applicants were required to have an SAT score of at least 1100 or an ACT score of at least 24, as well as a 3.5 or higher GPA.
All identifying details, such as student’s name, gender, and school name, were removed from the applications prior to review. Six finalists were selected based solely on the criteria, which include academic ability, achievements, activities and citizenship. The finalists then participated in further review, which included writing an impromptu timed essay, followed by a face-to-face interview session with the selection committee. After completing the selection process, the CCCF Lilly Scholarship Committee submitted the name of the 2015 nominee to the Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) for final approval.
Each finalist selected will receive an award directly from the Cass County Community Foundation in recognition of their outstanding, high achievement.
ICI is a non-profit corporation that represents thirty-one regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is a result of a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative to help Hoosier students reach higher levels of education. Indiana ranks among the lowest states in the percentage of residents over the age of 25 with a bachelor’s degree. There were 142 scholarships awarded statewide.
For more information on this award or the Cass County Community Foundation, please call 574-722-2200.
SOURCE: News release from Cass County Community Foundation