The generosity of Martha Beckenholdt stretches across time and county lines. For years, Martha has provided support to those organizations and causes she holds close to her heart. One of those passions is helping students from Cowan High School attain a college education. She joined with her family in 1996 to establish The Beckenholdt Family Scholarship Fund at the Hancock County Community Foundation. It was the intention of Martha and her family to provide for students of Cowan High School, the school where she and her five siblings graduated, an opportunity to pursue higher education.
Martha herself sacrificed a four-year degree to enter the workforce so that her younger sister could attend college. For this reason, it is a passion of Martha’s to provide financial support that would allow a student to continue his or her education even during times of economic stress. This is a multi-year scholarship with support being granted for four years of college.
The Beckenholdt Family Scholarship honors Martha Marie Beckenholdt’s parents, John F. and Alice A. Meyer Beckenholdt; Martha’s siblings, Louise Elizabeth Beckenholdt Amador, Adelaide Adelle Beckenholdt Meyer, Theodore William Beckenholdt, and Reta Jean Beckenholdt Cheesman; and all of their spouses and children.
The introduction of the scholarship application emphasizes the passion of the family: “Successful and fulfilling lives are most often dependent upon having dreams and the realization of those dreams. To make these dreams come true takes the selection of certain goals, the determination to attainment of those goals, and having adequate financial resources to cover the costs involved in the total process.
“We firmly believe the schooling and attention we received at Cowan High School, Cowan Elementary School, and the schools we attended prior to moving to the Cowan area have been of great help to us in attaining the dreams and goals we set for ourselves. We wish for you much happiness and success in your schooling and in your life in the years to come.”
—The Beckenholdt Family
Applicants must be graduating seniors of Cowan High School of Delaware County, Indiana, and must plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university on a full-time basis. The scholarship will be awarded to a deserving student based on his or her potential for success in college and his or her character as demonstrated while a member of the Cowan High School community. The selection committee may take into account other awards, but the demonstrated need is not a requirement. No preference for public schools or for schools inside Indiana applies. Diversity in educational settings and career goals is encouraged. See the current HCCF Scholarship Guidebook on this website for a complete list of requirements.
