Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship and Guy David Gundlach Memorial Scholarship
Since 1998, the Community Foundation has been a proud partner of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship (LECS) Program, which has provided more than 100 students from Elkhart County with the financial means to complete a post-secondary education.
Through the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, Lilly Endowment Inc. will award four-year, full-tuition (room and board not included) scholarships to three Elkhart County seniors annually. These students who will begin classes each fall may attend any accredited Indiana college.
Each eligible high school in the county may nominate one student. From this group, the Community Foundation’s Career Pathways Committee will nominate the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship finalists. Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) will select the final scholarship recipients.
As a compliment to the LECS Program, the Community Foundation is honored to carry on the legacy of Guy David Gundlach by awarding nominees not selected as LECS recipients with the Guy David Gundlach Memorial Scholarship of $20,000 ($5,000 for four years) toward tuition. Mr. Gundlach was a successful entrepreneur who believed education was a key factor to his success.
Eligibility:
- A resident of Elkhart County
- Neither parent/guardian with whom the student resides has completed a 4-year baccalaureate degree
- Accredited Elkhart County high school graduate
- Course of study requirements: Core 40, Indiana Academic Honors Diploma or equivalent
- Planning to enroll in an accredited Indiana college in the fall of 2025
- Must enroll in a four-year college degree program
Elkhart County high schools nominate a student to apply via the online Universal Application. The application window is open until September 25, 2024.
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About David Gundlach
Guy “David” Gundlach was born in Downey, California on July 21, 1955 to Melvin Gundlach and Marjorie (Riblet) Gundlach Swift. David moved to Elkhart as a young boy and graduated from Elkhart Memorial High School in 1973. David returned to California to pursue higher education and graduated in 1979 from Chapman College.
After obtaining his business degree, David quickly demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by starting a number of different companies. He worked for IBM in its Informational Technology department and headed to London to assist Lloyds of London with their technology.
After working for them for a period of time, he launched Hastings Direct, which became his primary business. The company is a direct insurance company based out of Hasting, England.
After selling his successful global insurance business, David spent more time in Los Angeles and launched a movie production company. His initial production was the award-winning film, “Get Low,” starring Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, and Bill Murray.
David’s real passion was for improvement in the plight of children of all ages around the world. He wanted others to have the kind of wonderful childhood that he treasured growing up in Elkhart. His philanthropic work led him to Romania, Morocco, Russian and Sri Lanka, but he always considered Elkhart his home. David was also a generous supporter of local organizations throughout Elkhart County.
David passed away on October 16, 2011. This scholarship was created to honor David’s legacy.
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