October 28, 2026
The Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF) is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2027 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Putnam County. This marks the 30th year of this program, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholar will be awarded a full-tuition scholarship, including a $900 book stipend per year, for four years to any accredited school in Indiana. The winner of this prestigious award will be announced later this year.
The four finalists are: Addalyn Brinkman of South Putnam High School, daughter of Brian and Emily Brinkman; Brayden Chew of North Putnam High School, son of Jason and Alyssa Chew; Cyrus Gurnon of Greencastle High School, son of Daniel and Stephanie Gurnon; and Ella Tischer of Greencastle High School, daughter of John and Anisha Tischer.
These seniors were selected as finalists following an extensive review process by the Lilly Selection Committee of the Putnam County Community Foundation. The committee comprises eight voting members, two of whom reside in each of our four area school districts. The process included a blind review for the first two phases, a live writing prompt, followed by a dinner reception in which the selection committee met with seven semi-finalists. It concluded with an individual interview with each of the four finalists.
The review process is 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.
PCCF’s nomination for the award is submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) for approval of the recipient. ICI is a nonprofit corporation representing 28 regionally accredited degree-granting, nonprofit, private colleges, and universities in the state. Over 5,300Indiana high school students have been awarded a Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since the program was started by the Lilly Endowment in 1998 including 45 in Putnam County.
To learn more about PCCF or the Putnam County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, individuals may contact Sarah Stone at sstone@pcfoundation.org or call the office at (765) 653-4978.
The Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF) works alongside individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to build a stronger Putnam County. PCCF is home to more than 380 charitable funds and has awarded more than $27 million in grants and scholarships since its founding in 1985. To learn more about PCCF, visit www.pcfoundation.org or call (765) 653-4978.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, Lilly Endowment Inc. is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff, and location. In keeping with its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. Although the Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
About Independent Colleges of Indiana
Independent Colleges of Indiana is the collective voice for excellence and choice in higher education for all students. As a nonprofit association, ICI represents Indiana’s 28 private, nonprofit, regionally accredited colleges and universities. We focus on the following:
- Public policy advocacy, especially in the cause of state and federally funded financial
- aid
- Public information and research about the performance and contributions of the
- independent college sector in Indiana
- Corporate and foundation fundraising, with all funds raised by ICI disbursed to
- member colleges
- Development of collaborative services, such as group purchasing and shared
- services among our campuses
- Administration of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, along with
- other scholarships and grants