Howard County Awards $554K in Scholarships to 209 Students

The Community Foundation of Howard County handed out $553,700 in scholarships to 209 students for the 2026-2027 school year, turning college dreams into reality across Indiana.

The foundation awarded 115 new scholarships and 94 renewals to students from local high schools including Kokomo, Western, Eastern, Northwestern, and Taylor. Recipients are pursuing everything from undergraduate degrees to law school at Indiana University.

"These students exemplify the leadership and determination we strive to promote at the Community Foundation," said Todd Moser, the foundation's president. He credited donor generosity for making the scholarships possible.

The awards came from dozens of different scholarship funds, many named after community members who believed in investing in the next generation. Students like Ryleigh Smith, Corbyn Karnes, and Isabella Sargent received support through memorial funds honoring local leaders, teachers, and philanthropists.

Some scholarships targeted specific schools or career paths. The Gerald Hood Memorial Scholarship supports future teachers, while the Frederick E. Wideman scholarship goes to Taylor student athletes. The Gene and Wilma Parks scholarships specifically help students from Kokomo High School and Western High School.

Law students at Indiana University's Maurer and McKinney Schools of Law also received support through the Forrest E. Jump Memorial Scholarship, with 11 students sharing those awards.

The Ripple Effect

Community foundations like Howard County's create a cycle of generosity that extends far beyond the scholarship checks. When local donors establish funds in honor of loved ones or causes they care about, they're investing in neighbors who will likely return to serve their hometowns.

These 209 students will graduate with less debt and more opportunity to pursue careers in teaching, medicine, law, and countless other fields. Many will bring their skills back to Howard County, strengthening the same community that invested in them.

The foundation's work also preserves the legacies of people like Gene and Wilma Parks, Forrest E. Jump, and dozens of others whose names live on through the students they help educate.

When communities pool resources to support education, everyone benefits from a more skilled, educated workforce and stronger civic leadership for generations to come.