Education is a core focus of company’s community support
Atchison, KAN., August 12, 2019 — MGP Ingredients, Inc., is proud to support three Atchison-area students starting college this fall with Ellis Foundation scholarships, part of the company’s longtime focus on helping provide educational opportunities for residents of its communities. The three, who graduated from high school in May, all plan to study at Kansas colleges: Hannibal Vick, Atchison High School graduate, attending Ottawa University to become a teacher; Benjamin Siebert, Maur Hill Mount Academy, Kansas State University, physician/surgeon; and Andrew Raplinger, Maur Hill Mount Academy, Benedictine College, pre-law.
Each Ellis Foundation scholarship recipient is awarded a stipend to be used for tuition and fees.
“We believe in supporting education at all levels and are gratified that more than 40 graduates of high schools in the Atchison area have been able to attend college with our help,” said Dave Rindom, MGP chief administrative officer. “They have gone on to make important contributions to their own communities, and we are happy that the impact of our contributions is multiplied.”
In addition to financial help, Ellis Scholars receive significant mentoring support from Foundation staff and older students also participating in the Ellis program. This approach has helped ensure a student retention rate of more than 97 percent.
The Ellis Foundation and sponsoring partners have committed more than $20 million to higher education since its founding as a family-run foundation in 1997. Over the years, individuals and corporate donors such as MGP have helped the program grow to serve more than 800 students. The Ellis Foundation is affiliated with more than 200 colleges and universities in 29 states.
“The support of MGP and others makes a difference, not only for the students it helps, but their families, communities and future generations,” said Chris Ellis, president.
As alumni, many of the Ellis scholarships also participate in a Pay it Forward program allowing them to give back to the scholarship program.
For more on the Ellis Foundation, please visit here.