The Jacobs Family established this scholarship as a means to help students fund their education when traditional sources of such funding, including, but not limited to, family, government and other scholarship opportunities have been exhausted. This scholarship is meant to be the “game changer” for those students who have limited options to achieve their desired goals and would likely not have the opportunity to pursue their educational goals if not for this scholarship.

The fund was formed with funds donated to the Karen Fishburn Memorial Fund after her passing in September 2013. Karen’s dedication to numerous Morrow County organizations and countless hours of volunteer work for organizations such as the Red Cross, Key Ministries, Morrow County Association of Business Women, Morrow Country Board of Elections, and Marengo United Methodist Church, resulted in an unprecedented community outpouring at her calling hours. Annual scholarships are the Fishburn family’s way of honoring Karen for many years to come.

The scholarship honors Karen Kaiser’s commitment to the students of Saint Brendan School, where she taught for more than 35 years, and Otterbein University, the alma mater of her husband Chris Kaiser.

The scholarship was created through the generosity of Jim Redman, a life-long farmer from Logan County, Ohio, who wishes to support Logan County high school graduates as they further their education and enter an agriculture-related field.

The scholarship honors the memory of Louis Meredith Kovach, who was a lighter-than-air enthusiast, avid traveler, and Worthington’s Linworth Alternative Program (The AP, now called the Linworth Experiential Program) graduate. During his senior year at the main high school, he was invited to witness the reconstruction of the Goodyear Blimp that was based in Italy. Louis saw this ten-week trip as an opportunity of a lifetime, and a chance to visit the lighter-than-air pioneers who were still alive in Europe. The AP saw this as a life experience that met the educational philosophy of the school. Louis transferred to The AP in order to travel to Europe his senior year, allowing him to gain the needed credit and still graduate high school, all while following his dreams. This life adventure served as one of the building blocks for the Walkabout Program at the Linworth Experiential Program.

Jane Burns DeWitt Baumann was a life-long resident and educator from Columbus. She attended Columbus City Schools from elementary school through graduation from South High School in 1949, subsequently majoring in Fine Arts and Education at Ohio University. She taught English for twenty years at Linden-McKinley high school and influenced hundreds of students with her passion for reading and writing, inspiring many to pursue their college educations despite trying circumstances. She was a committed advocate of public education. This scholarship honors her service and commitment to public education by supporting a future educator who would not otherwise have the means to attend college.

The scholarship was founded by Lloyd Edison Fisher, Jr. and his wife of 47 years, Twylla Peterson Fisher. Lloyd was born on October 23, 1923 in Medina, OH, and was awarded a Stadium Cooperative Scholarship at The Ohio State University (OSU), but his college years were interrupted by World War II. He served in the United States Army, attaining the rank of staff sergeant and engaged in combat in Europe, followed by occupation duty in Japan.   He returned to OSU to complete his undergraduate degree and graduated summa cum laude from The Ohio State University College of Law, where he was editor-in-chief of its law review publication. Lloyd began his legal career with Ohio’s Department of Taxation, before electing to become a trust officer with the Huntington National Bank. He subsequently joined the Columbus law firm then known as Alexander, Wenger, & Holschuh; which later merged with Porter Wright Morris & Arthur. After practicing law for nearly 63 years, Lloyd retired from the firm. Lloyd was an active member of Maple Grove United Methodist Church and was instrumental in establishing a robust pension program for retired clergy.

Robert Jordan attended Mifflin High School, joined the military upon graduation, loved to drive, hard worker, fun-loving, well respected, a leader. Married to Donna, father of four, grandfather of six.

The family of James and Jean McConnell established this scholarship to honor their memory and as a tribute to their enduring commitment to education. As a 1949 graduate of The Ohio State College of Dentistry, James McConnell practiced for 41 years. After retirement, he was appointed to the adjunct faculty of the Ohio State College of Dentistry and served as Clinic Director of the Children’s Dental Clinic of Coshocton County for several years.

This fund was created by a donor family who believes that education is the cornerstone to a life of opportunity, security, choice, and continued growth. The aim of the Open Door Scholarship is to do just that – help open the door to driven, hardworking students who share the donor family’s belief in the power of education and who seek to use that education to thrive.