Jack and Barbara Nicklaus KitchenAid Senior PGA Champions for Change Scholarship Helps Underserved Students at Lake Michigan College Achieve Their Academic Goals

Lake Michigan College, not far from Whirlpool Corp.’s global and North American headquarters in Benton Harbor, Michigan, hosts a program called “Start-to-Finish,” providing support to college students. The program is designed to help underserved individuals achieve academic success. One of the awards given through the program is the Jack and Barbara Nicklaus KitchenAid Senior PGA Champions for Change Scholarship. The scholarship, which started in 2018, was announced at the Championship and the recipients have just been selected. The scholarship went to students in need with high potential. There were two $25,000 recipients this year. One of those awardees was Tolanda Davis.

“This is so rewarding, as I’m certain there were other candidates just as motivated, if not more, who applied for this scholarship,” said Davis. “To be selected as the recipient of the 2021 Jack and Barbara Nicklaus Scholarship as I stood alongside a group of my peers is such a huge honor.”

The funds are given to a member of the Benton Harbor community who has graduated with an Associate Degree from the Lake Michigan College Start-to-Finish Program and has plans to continue their college education. This was Davis’ first experience applying for a scholarship.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect or even if I’d be selected. This scholarship will allow me the opportunity to work towards my degree as a first-generation college student with minimal to no financial stress.”

With a passion for interstellar constellations, Davis plans to attend Central Michigan University in the fall to major in Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, and hopes to become an astronomer.

The second scholarship recipient, Taneika Austin-Bowman, was pleasantly surprised that she received the scholarship. “I wasn’t sure if I would get it, but I’m glad I proved myself wrong,” she joked. “To win this scholarship means a lot to me. It means I will be able to complete my education without the added worries of how I will be paying for school.“

Austin-Bowman is currently attending Grand Valley State University pursuing a bachelors of science degree in psychology with a minor in juvenile justice.

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