Marshall County Community Foundation awards PHS student Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

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The Marshall County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Marshall County: Rongtian (“Ray”) Ye of Plymouth High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are recognized for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.

“Ray is a true reflection of the Lilly Scholarship. He embodies academic excellence, service-oriented leadership, perseverance, and character. His achievements and dedication uphold the core values and high standards of the award, demonstrating not only personal success but also a lasting commitment to strengthening his community,” said Beth Styers, MCCF Scholarship Committee Chair.

Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Scholars also join the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects them with resources and opportunities to lead on campus and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).

“When I am remembered by my community, I want my legacy to be one that radiates passion and a commitment to giving back, showing just how much I appreciate all that this community has done to raise and support me,” said Ray Ye (Lilly Endowment Community Scholar).

In nominating Marshall County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, the committee considered 1) academic performance; 2) community service, work experience, and leadership; 3) school activities; and 4) an application essay and interview by the Lilly Scholarship Selection Committee. After narrowing the field of applicants, nominees were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the statewide administrator of the program, for final selection.

“Each year the applicants from Marshall County are amazing and it is always a difficult selection process because their high school careers are so full of excellence!” said Linda Yoder, MCCF Executive Director.

Since its inception in 1997–98, Lilly Endowment has supported this program with tuition grants totaling more than $505 million, benefiting over 5,400 Indiana students. The program’s primary purposes are:

• To raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana.
• To increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations play.
• To encourage and support Lilly Scholars’ engagement with Indiana leaders to improve quality of life statewide.

About Marshall County Community Foundation:

The Marshall County Community Foundation is a public charity with local roots that helps great ideas take flight through endowment philanthropy. Since 1991, donors to the Marshall County Community Foundation have built the community’s assets currently valued at more than $50 million and have returned over $30 million to Marshall County communities in grants and scholarships, $5.6 million from Community Funds. For more information about the MCCF, call 574.935.9159, or visit www.marshallcountycf.org.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.:

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in Eli Lilly and Company. The Endowment supports community development, education, and religion, with a special commitment to Indianapolis and Indiana.

About Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI):

Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for Indiana’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year graduation rates and produce 30% of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20% of its undergraduates.