Dr. David Barkmeier’s generous gift to Community Foundation supports scholarships at top universities

Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 8:00 PM

Dr. David Barkmeier was a brilliant scholar. Thanks to a legacy gift to the Marshall County Community Foundation (MCCF), generations of scholars will benefit from his passion for education at the highest levels.

A generous estate gift of $421,105 was recently added to the contributions Barkmeier made to MCCF during his lifetime. The Dr. David R. Barkmeier Top Research Universities Scholarship Fund supports Marshall County graduates pursuing higher education at top universities. On an annual basis, scholarships totaling approximately $18,000 will be awarded to students attending either the University of Notre Dame or a university that is a member of the Association of American Universities.

Dave Barkmeier graduated in 1967 from Plymouth High School and then received a B.A. in psychology from Indiana University South Bend in 1972. He earned a M.A. in psychology from Western Michigan University, and later began his doctoral work at Georgia State University in Atlanta, earning his PhD from the University of Florida in 1978. He began his teaching career the following year at Northeastern University in Boston and remained there for over 25 years until his retirement.

Barkmeier then returned to Plymouth where he made significant contributions to the local community, especially to the city of Plymouth. He considered his two dogs, Pub and Yogi as members of his family and was a regular contributor to the Marshall County Humane Society.

Along with MCCF, estate gifts were made to the following local organizations: Marshall County Humane Society, Plymouth Public Library, The Marshall County Melody Makers, Link to Hope, Wild Rose Moon Performing Arts Center, and The Rees Theatre Restoration Project.

Dr. David Barkmeier became a member of the John Marshall Legacy Society in 2013 when he made known his intentions to establish the scholarship fund at MCCF. The John Marshall Legacy Society recognizes those who have either left an estate gift or informed MCCF of their plans to do so. The John Marshall Legacy Society is MCCF’s opportunity to honor these legacy gifts, both during the donor’s lifetime and after the estate gift has been received. For more information, contact the Marshall County Community Foundation at 574.935.5159 or go to marshallcountycf.org.