KALAMAZOO, MI (July 2, 2013) Educational Community Credit Union (ECCU) held a reception on June 15 in recognition of 21 outstanding students who received $24,000 in scholarships. A total of $316,000 has been awarded to graduating high school seniors through ECCU’s scholarship program, which was established in 1999 to enhance the educational opportunities and advancement of the credit union’s member/owners. Scholarships are awarded annually to high school seniors who not only demonstrate academic achievement, but community involvement, extracurricular activities and financial need.
The 2013 ECCU Scholarship Awards Ceremony was held at ECCU’s Main Office on 9th Street in Kalamazoo with over 60 people in attendance. ECCU’s President and CEO, Charles Cornelius, presided over the ceremony and presented eighteen $1,000 and three $2,000 scholarships. The $2,000 scholarships were created and named the Robert E. Treloar Scholarship and the Donna vanWestrienen Scholarship in honor of two individuals for their dedicated service on ECCU’s Board of Directors for over 20 years, and the Robert S. Hunt Scholarship in honor of ECCU’s retired President/CEO who led the credit union for 30 years.
The $2,000 Robert E. Treloar Scholarship was awarded to Courtney Giles. Courtney graduated from Constantine High School and plans to attend Grand Valley State University to major in Nursing.
The $2,000 Donna vanWestrienen Scholarship was awarded to Katlyn Slater. Katlyn graduated from Paw Paw High School and plans to pursue Biology/Medicine at the University of Evansville.
The $2,000 Robert S. Hunt Scholarship was awarded to Allison Branch. Allison graduated from Otsego High School and plans to pursue Biomedical Engineering at Michigan Technological University.
Eighteen $1,000 scholarship awards were given to each of the following recipients:
Emily Armstead, a graduate of Portage Central High School, who plans to attend the University Of Michigan as a Pre-Medicine major.
Megan Bogema graduated from Portage Northern High School, and plans to study Dietetics at Central Michigan University.
Richard DeBoer, a Lawton High School graduate. He plans to study Engineering at Western Michigan University.
Thomas Dykstra graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School with plans to attend Calvin College to major in Engineering.
Timothy Eby graduated from Constantine High School. He will be attending Southwestern Michigan College to study Computer Information Systems.
Aaron Gipson, a Comstock High School graduate, will attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College to pursue Exercise Science.
Jessica Glessner, an Otsego High School graduate. She will be attending Grand Valley State University to major in Vocal Music Education.
Montana Johnson, an Otsego High School graduate with plans to attend Grand Valley State University and major in Engineering.
Zachary LaPointe graduated from Plainwell High School. He will pursue Engineering at Hope College.
Nicole Lauhon graduated from Gobles High School. She will study Cinematography and Broadcasting at Central Michigan University.
Alyssa Lem is a Mattawan High School graduate who plans to study Nursing at Western Michigan University.
Adam Licavoli graduated from Plainwell High School. He will attend the University Of Michigan to study Aerospace Engineering.
Kelsey Owens graduated from Otsego High School. She will be attending Grand Valley State University and majoring in the medical field.
Jennifer Shields, a Mattawan High School graduate, plans on attending the Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University. She will pursue a degree in Human Biology/Pre-Medicine of Biomedical Sciences.
Gentry Sternaman, a Three Rivers High School graduate, plans to attend Adrian College. He will pursue a degree in Exercise Science/Athletic Training.
Christopher Watts is a Portage Northern High School graduate. He plans to attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College to major in Accounting/Law Enforcement.
Annalisa Wilder graduated from Decatur High School and plans to study Psychology at Western Michigan University.
Alex Zeitler graduated from Portage Central High School, and plans to attend the University Of Michigan as a Liberal Arts major."
ECCU would like to extend their congratulations to all 2013 high school graduates and their families, and wish them great success as they begin their collegiate careers this fall.
Established in 1935, the credit union exceeds $396 million in assets and provides a full-range of financial products and services to more than 35,000 members throughout 21 counties in Michigan. Visit eccu1.org to learn for yourself why ECCU just feels right, and ECCU members feel right at home.