The scholarship supports graduating high school seniors in the Central Ohio Elite Soccer Club.

Through her education and career experience, Shirley Miller Carpenter has developed a strong belief in the power of education and in the potential of every individual. She understands that students face many challenges in seeking a college degree. To that end, she established this scholarship to encourage students from her hometown to believe in themselves, imagine possibilities, and work toward making those possibilities into a reality.   Math and science have been Shirley Miller Carpenter’s favorite subjects since she was a student herself. Shirley attended Syracuse Elementary and Racine High schools, taking classes required for college prep, despite not knowing how she would later afford tuition. After graduation, she moved to Columbus and worked full-time for two years before enrolling at The Ohio State University. Even as a full-time student, Shirley worked part-time until she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Education.   Since then, Shirley thoroughly enjoyed a 35-year career as an educator, specializing in middle school math and science. She also earned a Master of Arts degree in that field. When Shirley took her first full-time job, she worked with printouts from a computer that took up an entire room. Now, computers are small enough for people to carry smartphones in their pockets. As a teacher, Shirley introduced thousands of students to exciting advancements in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Her appreciation for the impact of her education in her own life helped her inspire students to believe in their own potential.   The scholarship is specifically intended to assist young women as they seek degrees in STEM fields, because women have long been underrepresented in these exciting fields.

Juanita Muller was widowed in 1949. She reared two sons, Joe, then 14 and Charles, 10, working six days a week in a dress factory. Charles, the provider of this scholarship, was the first in his family to receive a college education, thanks to the Woodward Trustees Foundation in Cincinnati. It provided financial aid in high school and a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. May the recipients of the scholarship fully appreciate the effort of their single parent and have an impact on the lives of those they touch.

Mary Elizabeth Betts Beattey graduated from high school at 17 in 1937, when the shadow of the Great Depression still darkened her home in Appalachian Ohio, so she put aside her desire to attend college and, for the next three decades, relied on her Gregg shorthand, typing, language arts, and general abilities in various secretarial positions. When her husband died just short of her 50th birthday, she found herself with the time and resources to pursue her dream of a college education. Within three years, she had a degree in Elementary Education from Ohio University, graduating cum laude.   For most of the next two decades, she taught fifth grade, reveling in finding the student who, with a little special service, extra attention, encouragement, or cajoling could and would do better academically. The goal of the scholarship is to support a student who has been helped, motivated, or cajoled into doing better and to continue on that path through their high school career.

This fund honors the life of Olivia "Liv" Midnight. She was an independent, friendly, artistic young woman with an infectious laugh. Olivia was a student at Thomas Worthington High School. Established with the support of many friends and family members, this fund will carry forward Liv's passions and her love of life. She passed away in 2018 at the age of 17.

Central Ohio Primary Care (COPC) is one of the largest physician-owned primary care organizations in the United States. COPC is rooted in a long history of clinical excellence and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We are building a model for primary care that creates a more holistic view of patient care and gives physicians more time to focus on building relationships with patients and each other. This scholarship is a continuation of these efforts, ensuring diverse medical talent to provide medical care to all. The scholarship was created to assist with the educational expenses for underrepresented populations in health care looking to attend a college, university, technical college, or community college.

Richard P. Seiter was a career correctional professional who served as Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) for several years. He began working in corrections after receiving his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Dr. Seiter established this scholarship for children of current DRC employees to recognize the commitment of these employees and their service to the State of Ohio. Dr. Seiter established the scholarship with the belief that education (just like in his own life) can set a person’s course for life and put them on the past for success. He values the dedication of people who give their careers to public service, and especially those who work in the difficult jobs of corrections. He believes that if a scholarship can help them with their children, it is an investment in the future of our country and state that is a legacy he wants to leave.

As a journalist, Mary M. Yost proudly served her hometown community for more than 25 years with her thoughtful, balanced and thorough reporting and writing. She was the epitome of a talented journalist, with a keen interest in the community she covered. Her sense of fairness and her compassion and caring for others and for the issues she covered came through clearly in her interactions with the public and in her reporting and writing. As one of few women in the newsroom when she started out, she was a pioneer who gladly offered advice and mentorship to those who followed. She served the community as a long-time journalist and editor on The Columbus Dispatch and as a senior member of the Ohio Hospital Association and on a variety of community boards and commissions.

The Columbus Foundation announced that Chasity Edwards, Ed.M, has joined the organization as the Director of Education Grantmaking.

Community Foundations, Inc., an affiliate of The Columbus Foundation, is now accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations serving Ross County in the areas of cultural development, health and human welfare, economic development, and underprivileged youth. The grants are made possible through the generosity of the Robert E. and Genevieve B. Schaefer Fund and the Burton E. Stevenson Fund.