KCCU scholarship

This year KCCU awarded ten (10) $2,000 scholarships to students who demonstrate good character, citizenship and leadership.

Congratulations 2025 KCCU Scholarship Recipients

Alex Lutgring

Alex Lutgring is a class of 2025 Pennfield High School graduate. During high school, he was involved in varsity and junior varsity football, track and field, basketball, powerlifting, and wrestling. Alex was a state qualifier in both track and field and powerlifting. He also participated in the National Honor Society, LINK, Pennfield Student Athlete Leadership Council, and the Pennfield Football Leadership Council. Alex plans to attend Calvin University to major in finance and intends to join the football and track and field programs.

Colton Beard

Colton Beard is a class of 2025 Harper Creek High School graduate. He also attended the Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center and Kellogg Community College. During high school, he was the Captain of his school's varsity golf team and was involved with the National Honor Society. Colton enjoys spending his time volunteering, he has volunteered at several nonprofit organizations such as the Charitable Union, South Michigan Food Bank, Salvation Army, and the Binder Park Youth Golf Academy. He spends his summers providing assistance to the First Tee program where he is a coach/leader for junior players. Colton plans to attend Davenport University to obtain a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

David Shen

David Shen is a class of 2025 Portage Northern High School graduate. During high school, he was a teaching assistant for the Sizzlin' Summer program that helped teach K-12 students STEM skills, specifically in computer science, animation, and electronics. He was also a student leader and designated competition technician for the Stryke Force Robotics Team where he helped develop robotic software, mentor, and produce a custom computer vision software. David plans to attend the University of Michigan to pursue a degree in Computer Science and specialize in computer vision.

Dominic Lowrie

Dominic Lowrie is a class of 2025 Harper Creek High School graduate and dual enrolled at Kellogg Community College. During high school, he was a Captain on both the Cross Country and Track teams. Outside of school, he gained leadership skills by being a volunteer coach for the Wattles Park Men's Club where he helped coach youth soccer and youth baseball. Dominic plans to attend Michigan Technical University (MTU) to study Exercise Science and Kinesiology with the expectation of transferring to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Central Michigan University, once he has completed his master's at MTU.

Karlee Gutsue

Karlee Gutsue is a class of 2025 Lakeview High School graduate. She played volleyball, basketball, and tennis throughout high school where she received two varsity letters for volleyball, three varsity letters for basketball and was team Captain, and four varsity letters for tennis. Karlee also participated in DECA and at the Michigan State Leadership conference. She was a National Honor Society member and participated on the MIT Lemelson InvenTeam where she was part of a community outreach team, creating a product to make a positive change in the world. Karlee plans to attend Michigan State University.

Lillian Daniel

Lillian Daniel is a class of 2025 Lakeview High School graduate. During high school, she was in the National Honor Society where she dedicated her time volunteering for community projects and performed in the Spartanaires Show Choir. She was also a Robotics Coach, helping to train younger students, getting them involved and inspired by STEM. She has served as the Art Club Vice President, planning club activities, fundraisers, and teaching how to build a college portfolio. Lillian plans to attend the College of Creative Studies in Detroit.

Madison Berry

Madison Berry is a class of 2021 Marshall High School graduate. While in high school, she was part of the National Honor Society and volunteered her time helping with blood drive events. She is currently a member of the Creative Club in Marshall and volunteers at the Recreation Department. Madison is a senior at Western Michigan University and will be graduating with a bachelor’s in psychology in the fall. She plans to continue into a graduate program to obtain a master’s in social work. Madison would also like to obtain a PhD in Psychology to eventually teach at a college level.

Morgan Beehler

Morgan Beehler is a class of 2022 Schoolcraft High School graduate. She is a Senior Marketing Major at Western Michigan University where she has worked hard and earned enough credits to be eligible to graduate a semester early. Her educational goals include graduating from WMU, obtaining an internship, and growing into her career field. Morgan has a passion for digital marketing and intends to pursue a career where she can utilize her skills to benefit others and thrive in her field.

Natalie Hensel

Natalie Hensel is a class of 2025 Pennfield High School graduate and attended the Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center. During school, she played varsity basketball, varsity volleyball, and varsity track and field. Natalie was Captain of both the varsity basketball and volleyball teams her junior and senior years. Outside of school, she teaches at her church's Sunday School and volunteers at the American Red Cross blood drives. She was a participant in the National Honor Society where she was on the Executive Committee as the Sergeant at Arms. Natalie plans on attending Calvin University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and engineering.

Ryan Friedmann

Ryan Friedmann is a class of 2025 Portage Central High School graduate. During high school, he ran track and cross country. He is Captain of a special needs club that organizes fun activities for members of the club and has joined a group that gathers sponsors for a fundraiser to help provide aid for a neighborhood that was affected by the tornadoes this year. He also works multiple jobs as a lifeguard and in the restaurant industry. Ryan plans to attend Michigan State University.

The KCCU Scholarship Program was established to assist KCCU members who are planning to attend or currently attend an accredited Michigan college or university or are working towards a certification or degree program in the trades at state supported community colleges. 2025 marks the thirty-seventh year of KCCU’s scholarship program, and since its inception they have awarded roughly $205,000 to local students. KCCU’s Board of Directors, Management, and Staff congratulate the 2025 scholarship winners, and thank the many other exceptional students who applied.

The 2026 application period will begin mid-January 2026. If you have any questions about the KCCU Scholarship Program, please contact KCCU's Marketing department at marketing@kccu4u.org or call 269.968.9251