CACF Scholarship Programs

The Ardis/Lueder Northern Lower Michigan Endowed Scholarship Fund supports a student in a recognized dental program at the School of Dentistry at either the University of Michigan or the University of Detroit. Preference may be granted to a student who is from, or demonstrates an interest in practicing in, the Northern Lower Michigan counties of Wexford, Missaukee, or Osceola. Priority will be given to students in a post-graduate program. If no qualified applicants are available in a given year, graduate students may be considered pending fund requests. Preference would then be given to fourth and third year graduate students in descending order. If you meet the eligibility requirements for this scholarship, please contact your advisor for application information or call 231-775-9911 for further information.

PLEASE USE THE COMMON SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM.

The Cadillac Area Public Schools (CAPS) Alumni Association Scholarship Fund was established in November 2012 by the Cadillac High School Class of 1963.

Beginning in 2013, all Cadillac High School Alumni were invited to be included in this Alumni Scholarship Fund in an effort to perpetually give back to our community and to financially support deserving Cadillac High School students with their postsecondary education pursuits.

The CAPS Alumni Association Scholarship Fund is a scholarship program of the Cadillac Area Community Foundation. The scholarship is awarded on an annual basis in accordance with the Spending Policy of the Foundation.  Scholarship recipient/s are chosen by a selection committee appointed by the Cadillac Area Community Foundation.

This scholarship is awarded to graduating CAPS seniors based on  applicant’s character, personal growth (maturity), and essay.  Financial need will also be a considerations.   This scholarship requires a minimum GPA of 2.7 to apply.

For additional information or questions about this program, please contact the Foundation – Click Here, or by telephone at 231-775-9911.

This fund was established in January 2013 by Dave’s wife, Dorcas “Dori” Cook, to honor the memory of her husband. Dave graduated from Michigan State University in 1975 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a devoted Spartan and was extremely proud of his alma mater. Over the course of his life he became passionate about the environment and pushed for green energy and construction. It is in the light of his love for the environment that we have created the David A. Cook Memorial Scholarship Fund for Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University.

Eligibility requirements:
Any currently enrolled, second year or higher, civil & environmental engineering student at Michigan State University.

Must have a GPA of at least 3.0.

Applicant must be a member of an ABET-accredited Civil and/or Environmental Engineering Program and be in good standing at the time of application and award.

A scholarship may be awarded only to a student who will employ it to continue his/her formal education at Michigan State University. The scholarship will be paid directly to Michigan State University.

Selection Criteria:
Selection Criteria is based on GPA and Financial Need with attention given to work history and volunteer efforts.

Scholarship Conditions:
The $5,000* Scholarship is to be used for tuition, books, housing, and lab fees. The Scholarship will be paid directly to Michigan State University on behalf of the selected applicant (non-taxable). The award will be paid in a lump sum in August.

You may view and download the application packet HERE or if you wish to contact the Foundation with questions regarding this Scholarship Program, Click Here.

*The Board of Trustees of the Cadillac Area Community Foundation reserves the right to suspend the grant in any given year based on limited available Fund dollars and/or lack of acceptable applicants.

PLEASE USE THE COMMON SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM FOR THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP, AND THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP.

FUND HISTORY

The Helen and Harvey Pell Fund  was originally established on April 1, 1997 by Cadillac residents, Helen and Harvey Pell as a Student Loan Program.  The Pells’ are well known in the Cadillac Community. Pell’s Radio Center, the business built by Harvey Pell, is a downtown Cadillac landmark. In addition to working with her husband, Helen Pell embodied the spirit of the community through her volunteer work.

Through the establishment of this educational loan fund, the Pell’s served as wonderful role models for philanthropy. Through their vision and personal charitable actions, they embodied the true spirit of community and assisted students who may not otherwise have been able to achieve their ultimate academic goals.”

In 2000, Helen and Harvey Pell made it known that they wished to expand their Fund in the future and broadened the scope of its philanthropic works in education. The Fund was amended in 2000, and in 2010 became the Helen and Harvey Pell Fund for Education.  The Fund became available for use as intended by the Pell’s.

The Fund has expanded to include student scholarships for post high school education, grants to educational institutions, grants for innovative educational projects or programs to nonprofits and/or educational institutions, and a career development scholarship.

ELIGIBLE STUDENT DEFINED

The term “Eligible Student”, in reference to the student scholarships, refers to legal residents of the Wexford-Missaukee ISD area, who have graduate from high school or obtained a GED, or individuals who have graduated from a high school within the designated area regardless of their current legal residences. Any Eligible Student may submit an application for a scholarship from this Fund.

To be eligible for a Professional/Career Development scholarship, an applicant must be a current resident within the Wexford-Missaukee ISD.

ELIGIBLE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

The Helen  and Harvey Pell Fund for Education provides scholarships for eligible students who are attending or planning to attend an educational institution offering a certificate program, or a two-year or four-year college or university offering post-high-school degrees. Any eligible student may submit an Application for a scholarship from this Fund. Applications are accepted annually.

Background

Kelly Ann Garcia was a 1995 graduate of Cadillac High School. While a Cadillac Area Public School (CAPS) student, Kelly loved to sing and perform, and was very active in the performing arts. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University in psychology in 2000. Kelly’s life tragically ended in an automobile accident in 2002, but her spirit lives on in her family and in those with whom she worked, lived, and sang.

Purpose
The Kelly Ann Garcia Memorial Scholarships for the Performing Arts was established for the purpose of providing financial assistance to students who personify spirit and potential in the performing arts with an emphasis on voice. The scholarship was established to assist seniors planning to major in vocal music at an accredited college or university, and to provide financial assistance, to vocal music students entering their junior and senior years, in attending music camps, academies, or musical tours.

Scholarship Application Process

Scholarship applications can be obtained from CAPS High School Vocal Instructor,  the Counselors at the Cadillac High School, or the Cadillac Area Community Foundation.  Two reference letters must accompany the applications, with one preferable from someone currently in the field of vocal music. The reference letters must be completed by someone other than a family member. Also, if applying for vocal camp, academies, or tours, the student MUST attach copies of brochures or registration forms showing the event he/she wishes to attend. Applications will be accepted January  1st through March 30th. From the Application deadline date, please allow approximately 30 days to receive a written response as to the status of your Application. Those Scholarship Applications that are approved are eligible to receive their scholarship immediately upon written request to the Executive Director of the Cadillac Area Community Foundation during the calendar year in which the Scholarship is awarded. The deadline for requesting scholarship funds is July 1.

Eligibility, Selection Criteria, & Use of Scholarship Funds

Scholarships shall be awarded based on selections and recommendations by the Scholarship Advisory Committee to the Cadillac Area Community Foundations’ Board of Trustees. The Scholarship Advisory Committee is selected by the Cadillac Area Community Foundation Board of Trustees. Scholarships will only be available to CAPS Seniors majoring in voice training at an accredited college or university, and students entering their junior or senior year attending music camps, academies, or musical tours for the purpose of vocal music training. Priority consideration will be given to Applicants that: request scholarship funds for activities that fit the Fund’s purpose as stated above and clearly state the skills they expect to gain; demonstrate the greatest need and potential for growth; and complete the application themselves.

For further information about the Kelly Ann Garcia Memorial Scholarship for the Performing Arts, please call the Foundation offices at 231-775-9911.

PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR CADILLAC HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR FOR INFORMATION AND AN APPLICATION

Dr. Frederick Mannion was a valued member of the Cadillac community.  After his untimely death due to a bicycling accident, his family established an annual scholarship in his memory.

This scholarship is awarded annually to graduating seniors from Cadillac High School based on an outstanding high school grade point average, and demonstration of excellent character and participation in non-academic activities.  Eligible students are contacted by their school counselor and are offered application information at that time.

PLEASE USE THE COMMON SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM.

The Sue Westhauser Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in October 2001. This Fund was established to not only honor the memory of Sue Westhauser, but more importantly, to recognize her commitment to quality education, her positive influence on both the Cadillac community and the Cadillac Area Public Schools, her dedication to the principles of education, and her creative and innovative spirit. Scholarships are awarded from this Fund to graduating CAPS students wishing to pursue their degree in an educational field.

Orma and Kenneth Brodeur Scholarship for graduating CAPS seniors interested in studying business or business-related program.  Criteria, Graduate minimum GPA of 2.7 or better for 6 consecutive semesters, 3 reference letters from a teacher, an employer, and a personal acquaintance, and interest in small business and/or business-related programs.  It shall be paid directly to the university, college, and/or institution of higher education.

Paul McMullen (February 19, 1972 – March 4, 2021) was an American middle-distance runner who specialized in the 1500 meters. Paul was known by some as “the pride of Cadillac” after qualifying and competing in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

McMullen finished tenth at the 1995 World Championships in Athletics in Gothenburg, Sweden and the 2001 World Championships in Athletics in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He won the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials 1500 m and was a semi-finalist Atlanta Summer Olympics the same year. He won National Championships in 1995 (1500 m), 1996 (1500 M) and 1998 (Indoor Mile). His personal best 1500 m time was 3:33.89 minutes, achieved in July 2001 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. In 2001, Track and Field News ranked him at number one in the US.

Paul McMullen attended Eastern Michigan University and graduated in accounting. After graduation, he ran three seasons for Asics Shoes and four seasons Saucony Shoes before enlisting in the United States Coast Guard at age 29 and served four years as a surface swimmer and Federal Boarding Officer on the Great Lakes. McMullen still holds the Coast Guard’s Cape May New Jersey Training Center 1.5-mile run record of 7:09 which he ran on week 6 of basic training in December 2002. McMullen last broke the four-minute mile at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon at the age of 32 then later retired from running after failing to make the 2004 Olympic Team while representing the US Coast Guard.

Hall of Fame inductions: He was inducted into the Drake Relays Hall of Fame in 2000 and Eastern Michigan’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003.

Before his death, he worked as a Life Safety Consultant for EPS Security and competed in masters road cycling events during the summer. He was the founder and Coach of Chariots of Fire running club.

Criteria for the Scholarship:

Graduate from the Wexford Missaukee ISD School District
High school track and field performance results in the 1600 and/or 800 meter run.
Grade point average, financial need, character, community service, and leadership will be taken into consideration.
Paragraph capturing the spirit of Paul McMullen’s, that nothing was impossible.

The National Standards Seal by our name indicates official confirmation from the Council on Foundations that we have met the most rigorous standards in philanthropy. It affirms our commitment to financial security, transparency and accountability. It says our grantmaking includes an open, competitive process designed to address the changing needs of our community. The National Standards Seal also confirms our history of honoring donors’ wishes.