Putnam County’s 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar is Greencastle’s Bailey Boggess

The Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF) is pleased to announce Bailey Boggess as Putnam County’s 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar (LECS). Boggess, a senior at Greencastle High School is the daughter of Jeffery and Jana Boggess.

Passionate about economics, history, and politics, she plans to pursue a college degree from the University of Notre Dame and a career in government to help strengthen communities economically, financially, and socially. She is highly regarded by her teachers, school administrators, and her pastor, who commend her character, leadership, and dedication.

In a letter of recommendation, a mentor said, “Bailey’s natural intelligence is obvious, but her academic success is also the result of hard work and sacrifice. She has a genuine love for knowledge and a deep curiosity. She will accomplish great things wherever she goes.”

Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and Indiana Humanities.

Selection criteria for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship (LECS) are based on scholastic abilities and intellectual pursuits, capacity to lead and motivate fellow students, social commitment and extracurricular involvement, and the ability to articulate career plans that demonstrate motivation and initiative. The field of applicants was narrowed down through blind application review, live written response, and personal interaction. Then, PCCF’s LECS Selection Committee submitted its nominee to ICI, the statewide administrator of the LECS Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients.

Speaking about the selection process, PCCF Board Member and LECS Selection Committee Chair Dave Murray noted, “Our committee had the honor of reviewing many remarkable applicants again this year, and Bailey exemplifies the high caliber of students in Putnam County. Her academic accomplishments, leadership qualities, and focused drive distinguished her as the 2026 Putnam County Lilly Scholar.”

The LECS Selection Committee was impressed with Bailey’s achievements in and out of school. She has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and earned recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction, a Rising Star of Indiana Class of 2026, and a member of the National Honor Society. She is a strong leader, serving as president of the local Students Teaching Finance chapter, a three-year member of Student Council, and Vice President of Finance for her school’s DECA chapter. Bailey is also deeply committed to service, volunteering for local initiatives with Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry, Camp Read a Lot, Night to Shine and more.

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.

For additional information about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship program or other opportunities at the Putnam County Community Foundation, contact Sarah Stone or call the office at 765.653.4978.