NEWS BULLETIN
For Immediate Release
David Lasater
December 16, 2025
765-742-9078
The Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette (CFGL) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Tippecanoe County: Keiley Eads of McCutcheon High School, Antonio Figueras of Harrison High School, and Lucas Learman of McCutcheon High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are recognized for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.
“Every year we are profoundly impressed by the applicants for this scholarship program. This year’s recipients are not only academically accomplished, but they also demonstrate empathy and respect for others, great resilience, and incredibly strong work ethics,” said David Lasater, the James Kirby Risk Endowed President and CEO of CFGL.
Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Scholars also join the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects them with resources and opportunities to lead on campus and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).
Former Lilly Endowment Community Scholar and current member of the scholarship committee, Cody Mullen said of the scholarship, “Being a Lilly Scholar is an honor in and of itself – but as the years pass, I see with increasing clarity the gift that the scholarship truly is. The lack of student debt and freedom that brings has a ripple effect into the rest of your life.”
In nominating Tippecanoe County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholars, the committee considered academic rigor and achievement, extracurricular involvement, work and volunteer experience, and interview performance. After narrowing the field of applicants, nominees were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the statewide administrator of the program, for final selection.
“This was my first experience working with the committee in selecting Lilly Endowment Community Scholars of Tippecanoe County. I am blown away by the dedication, gratitude, and insight of the young scholars in our community. It was particularly moving to hear this year’s recipients indicate a desire to give back to the community that has supported them and given them so much,” said Karen McCullough, Director of Marketing, Communications, and Grants at The Foundation
Since its inception in 1997–98, Lilly Endowment has supported this program with tuition grants totaling more than $505 million, benefiting over 5,400 Indiana students. The program’s primary purposes are:
- To raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana.
- To increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations play.
- To encourage and support Lilly Scholars’ engagement with Indiana leaders to improve quality of life statewide.
The Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette, established in 1970, serves the Tippecanoe County area. Its mission is to inspire, nurture, and practice philanthropy, stewardship, and leadership in the communities served.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in Eli Lilly and Company. The Endowment supports community development, education, and religion, with a special commitment to Indianapolis and Indiana.
Founded in 1948, Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) serves as the collective voice for Indiana’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year graduation rates and produce 30% of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20% of its undergraduates.
