SCCF Announces 2026 Steuben County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipient
Angola, IN— The Steuben County Community Foundation (SCCF) is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Steuben County: Daniel Koch of Angola High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are recognized for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.
“SCCF is thrilled to recognize this year’s LECS recipient, whose outstanding academic record, community involvement, leadership, and character truly set them apart. Their dedication to service and commitment to their goals impressed the scholarship committee,” said Lisa Biers, SCCF’s Vice President of Programs.
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).
“As a recipient myself, the Lilly Scholarship was a life-changing gift for me in 2005. It allowed me to attend college in Indiana and remain connected to the community that raised and invested in me. Now, serving on the committee, it's an honor and incredibly meaningful to help support the next generation of scholars as they begin their own journeys,” shares Taryn Kaiser, 2005 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipient and current selection committee member.
In nominating Steuben County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, the committee considered Impromptu Essay, Presentation, and Interview. After narrowing the field of applicants, nominees were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the statewide administrator of the program, for final selection.
“We received many impressive applications this year, creating a highly competitive pool,” shares Lisa Biers, Vice President of Programs at SCCF. “Our review process ensures the chosen scholar not only excels academically but also shows strong character and a genuine dedication to serving the community.”
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.
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.
Founded in 1948, Independent Colleges of Indiana 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.