South Putnam senior Gardner named 2025 Lilly Community Scholar
By JARED JERNAGAN
Editor, Banner Graphic
A physical setback during her junior year is now driving the 2025 Putnam County Lilly Endowment Community Scholar toward a career goal in which she hopes to help others.
A three-sport athlete for South Putnam High School, Madison Gardner suffered a knee injury last year but has managed to come back as strong as ever thanks to her work with a physical therapist. With that in mind, she plans to continue her education next year on a path toward the same career.
Providing a huge boost toward that goal, Gardner learned Tuesday morning that she is the 2025 Lilly Scholar for the county. The announcement was made by Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF) staff members and volunteers.
“I’m kind of in a lot of shock,” Gardner said. “I was very overwhelmed with a lot of excitement and gratitude of, ‘Oh my gosh — I just won this!’ I feel kind of proud of myself but also grateful. I’m just very overwhelmed by this right now.”
Even with the shock of some life-changing news, Gardner is clear on how she plans to use the education the Lilly Endowment will now help her obtain.
“I hurt my knee my junior year, and then I got into a physical therapist,” Gardner said. “He helped me recover back to where I feel like I can play back at the ability I used to. Without him, I would never be where I am today.
“It helped me realize I want to unlock that same passion in others and help them through their own injuries. I think that could be a really fulfilling career for me.”
Gardner is the daughter of South Putnam principal Tona Gardner and guidance counselor Brian Gardner. Sister Drew is a sophomore. All four were present in the high school conference room when the big announcement was made.
Gardner’s parents’ positions at the high school made this a unique announcement, in that the surprise is normally coordinated through the principal and/or guidance office. However, the PCCF staff also wanted to surprise them. Supt. Corey Smith and executive secretary Erin Roach stepped into the breach and helped make things go smoothly while not tipping off the family.
“We couldn’t work with your mom and dad, but we worked with Dr. Smith,” PCCF Community Development Director Dean Gambill said.
Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for 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. Additionally, all private schools in the state, with the exception of Notre Dame, offer free room and board to Lilly scholars.
While Gardner has applied to a number of colleges and universities, she has zeroed in on Purdue University and the University of Southern Indiana as her main goals in studying kinesiology and exercise science. The announcement could, however, reopen the selection process.
“It kind of opens back up your thought process again,” Brian said regarding college choice, perhaps wearing both his dad and guidance counselor hats in the moment.
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) 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.
Gardner said that while she had the Lilly Scholarship in mind as a possible high school accomplishment, she has tried to keep her focus on achievement and preparation for life after high school.
“All throughout high school I’ve tried to push myself up for my future as best I can,” Gardner said. “ I thought, ‘Well I’m at least going to apply,’ just trying to set myself up for college in general and trying to get scholarships and that kind of thing. I wasn’t thinking just of the Lilly, but overall and that helped prepare me for the Lilly.”
While Gardner’s academic record is impressive, her leadership is evident outside of the classroom as well. Whether working part-time at a local business, competing in athletics or supporting younger students, she makes every effort to be kind, help others and do her best.
Gardner has served as a student council officer and been an active member of South Putnam FFA since her freshman year. She is also a member of National Honor Society, serves as a student ambassador and is a team captain in basketball, volleyball and track. She serves as a mentor in the Little Eaglet program and volunteers to educate young students about the dangers of bullying and drug use through P.I.E. Coalition’s student group and the Puppet Power program. She was named an AP Scholar with distinction and was selected by College Board for the National Rural and Small Town Recognition program.
“I’m involved with a lot, so I try to balance all of that while also trying to spend time for myself and with my family,” Gardner said. “I think high school has been a very busy time for me, but also it’s been very fulfilling because I’ve been able to experience a lot. I don’t think I’d trade it for the world.”
Selection criteria for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship (LECS) 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.
While discussing the selection process, Dave Murray, PCCF Board member and LECS Selection Committee member, commented, “Our committee had the privilege of considering many highly qualified candidates this year, and Madison is a great example of Putnam County’s most outstanding students. Her academic achievements, leadership experience and drive to achieve her goals made her stand out as the 2025 Putnam County Lilly Scholar.”
The other three finalists for the 2025 Lilly Scholarship were Madison Houser of North Putnam, Addison Fowler of Greencastle and Danae Cline, also of South Putnam.
“This was a very difficult year. It was very tight,” Gambill said.
Gardner’s desire to help others certainly could not have hurt her cause.
“One of my biggest passions is being there for others and helping them to be the best they can be. One of the ways I have been able to do this is through athletics,” Gardner said in her application. “The idea of being able to help athletes recover and get back to what they love inspires me. I can imagine helping them accomplish even small goals and watching their faces light up with true happiness and hope.”
“She handles scrutiny, pressure, and expectation to succeed with grace and wisdom beyond her years — and with a sense of humor. She is smart, kind, humble, sincere and genuine, radiating bright joy and intelligence. I could only hope to be like her,” a teacher said of Gardner. “Wherever she ends up, she will bring her unique brand of joy and positive energy. Her compassion, intelligence and personality will make her a most valued member of the healthcare community. She will make Putnam County proud.”
Applications for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship are first reviewed by the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Selection Committee from PCCF. The local Selection Committee is composed of eight voting members, with two members residing within each of the geographic areas served by the four county school corporations. The LECS nomination process is highly competitive. There were 18 qualified applicants for the one scholarship award.
The process included a blind review for the first two phases, followed by a dinner at which the selection committee met with seven semifinalists. The process concluded with four finalists having individual interviews with the selection committee.
Following the personal interviews, the committee submitted their nominee and alternates to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) for the final selection of the recipient. ICI is a nonprofit corporation that represents 30 regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state which administers the scholarship program.
Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1997-98 school year. Since then, grant funding in excess of $490 million has supported more than 5,300 Indiana students who have received scholarships through the program.
The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.
Chatting with the Gardners after the announcement, selection committee member Mary Gould, who also happens to be the mother of 2011 recipient Sam Gould, emphasized what the scholarship means to the entire family.
“You didn’t just win,” Gould said. “Your whole family did.”
Demonstrating a wisdom beyond her years, Gardner was already thinking such things a few short minutes after the announcement.
“I am so grateful for this,” she said. “As a family, I know Drew is probably going to end up going to college somewhere too, and this will just open up some windows for entire family.”
For additional information about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program or other opportunities at the Putnam County Community Foundation, contact Sarah Stone at sstone@pcfoundation.org or call the office at 653-4978.
With this award, Gardner becomes the 44th Putnam County Lilly Scholar. The complete list includes: 1998, Rachel Scott (North Putnam); 1999-Stephanie Brown Cunnyngham (South Putnam) and Tiffany White (SPHS); 2000-Kevin McCall (Greencastle) and Tara McColgin Dutta (NPHS); 2001-Andrew Boese (GHS), Christopher Cummings (SPHS) and Marcy Hammer Gallagher (GHS); 2002-Kyle Beasley (SPHS), Kyle Hassler (SPHS) and Mallory Pearson (SPHS); 2003-Jonathan Hassler (SPHS), James Jackson (NPHS) and Katherine Johnson (SPHS); 2004-Neal Knapp (NPHS), Kate Martin (GHS) and Toi Thompson Neibler (Cloverdale); 2005-Christopher Bowen (SPHS) and Alison Colvin (NPHS); 2006-Hannah Aker Evans (SPHS) and Drew Christy (SPHS); 2007-Chelsey Mann Meluch (CHS) and Zachary Grammel (GHS); 2008-Ashlyn Archer Brayfield (GHS) and James Fidler (CHS); 2009-Tabitha Arnold Michaloski (SPHS) and Tyler Heavin (SPHS); 2010-Dakota Parent Everts (NPHS) and Megan Klotz (SPHS); 2011-Megan Robinson (NPHS); 2012-Samuel Gould (SPHS); 2013-Kathryn Welch Hudson (NPHS); 2014-Melody White Najmon (GHS); 2015-Taylor Secrest (GHS); 2016-Zachary Wilkerson (GHS); 2017-David Flannelly (NPHS); 2018-Sean Ramey (GHS); 2019-Jaxon Parmley (GHS); 2020-Benjamin Wilkerson (GHS); 2021-Evan Steffy (SPHS); 2022-Catherine Hodge (SPHS); 2023-Carson Hall (CHS); 2024-Gabrielle Simonson (NPHS); 2025-Madison Gardner (SPHS).
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the 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 founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
Since 1997, Independent Colleges of Indiana has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment. Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.