Community Foundation Announces Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipient
AUBURN — J. Annie Schweitzer, a senior at DeKalb High School, has been selected as recipient of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for DeKalb County.
The announcement was made Wednesday by the Community Foundation DeKalb County. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character and leadership.
“This student exemplifies the qualities we seek in a Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. Her outstanding commitment to service, impressive academic achievement, strong character and emerging leadership were evident throughout the application and interview process,” said Tanya Young, executive director of the Community Foundation DeKalb County.
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.
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.
Schweitzer said she has narrowed her college choices to Purdue, Ball State or Butler. She intends to pursue a degree in either landscape architecture or environmental science.
“I seek to make a meaningful impact through a career in landscape architecture and sustainable design where I’m committed to helping others, pursuing life-long learning and living a Christ-centered life,” she said.
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.
“The process of applying for the Lilly Scholarship has made me realize the incredible support that this community has shown me,” Schweitzer said. “From starting local violin lessons as a young kid to receiving this tremendous scholarship, DeKalb has helped me grow into the person I am today, and I am indescribably grateful for that. I eagerly anticipate the opportunities and experiences that were made possible by the Community Foundation and this generous scholarship,” Schweitzer said.
In determining DeKalb County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominees, the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee gave consideration to academics, community service and leadership. After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients.
“Each year, DeKalb County is represented by exceptional semi-finalists, students who truly embody academic excellence, leadership and service. The selection committee was impressed by this year’s recipient and the entire group of semi-finalists, all of whom excelled in a highly competitive process,” Young said.
Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1997-1998 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: to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 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.
About the Community Foundation
The Community Foundation DeKalb County promotes community philanthropy by offering local citizens the opportunity to create a charitable legacy that will sustain and improve life in our county. More information about the Community Foundation can be found at cfdekalb.org.
About Lilly Endowment
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 Co.
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.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program or the Community Foundation’s scholarship program, please contact Hailey Carmer LaMaster at hclamaster@cfdekalb.org or (260)925-0311
