Kellogg Community College is pleased to announce 12 recipients of the KCC Foundation’s Gold Key Scholarship – the College’s most prestigious scholarship – totaling up to $54,000 in total student funding for the 2026-27 academic year.
Gold Key Scholarships are awarded to full-time freshmen to recognize and encourage outstanding academic and personal achievement, leadership and community service. Recipients are awarded $4,500 each year for up to two academic years to use toward tuition, fees and books.
Applicants for the Gold Key Scholarships must be current high school graduates entering KCC as full-time students and have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 or higher. They must also demonstrate leadership experience, community and service activity and involvement in school activities.
“The Gold Key Scholarship is the most prestigious award offered by the KCC Foundation, and it plays a vital role in attracting and retaining talented students in our community,” Michelle Williamson, executive director of the KCC Foundation, said. “In addition to significant financial support, scholars gain valuable leadership training and become part of a close-knit cohort that learns and grows together. Through community service and campus involvement, these students give back in meaningful ways while developing the skills and connections that set them up for long-term success.”
The KCC Foundation’s 2026-27 Gold Key Scholars, entering KCC this fall as freshmen, include:
- Cecilia Bellin, of Battle Creek, a St. Philip Catholic Central High School graduate. Bellin, who dual-enrolled at KCC and also attended the Calhoun Area Career Center, plans to study Nursing. Bellin received the Bruin Gold Key Scholarship.
- Addison Burkett, of Bellevue, an Olivet High School graduate. Burkett, who dual-enrolled at KCC, plans to study Radiography. Burkett received the Lela M. Karcher Gold Key Scholarship.
- Olivia Compton, of Battle Creek, a Calhoun Christian School graduate. Compton, who dual-enrolled at KCC, plans to study Graphic Design. Compton received the Melvin H., Doris A. and Fovette E. Dush Gold Key Scholarship.
- Ayla Fredin, of Marion, a McBain Rural Agricultural School graduate. Fredin will be playing volleyball at KCC and plans to study Physical Therapist Assistant. Fredin received the Hugh McPherson Gold Key Scholarship.
- Pierce Ginzer, of Hudsonville, a Jenison High School graduate. Ginzer will be playing baseball at KCC and plans to study Business and Computer Information Technology. Ginzer received the Robert L. and Lois H. Brenner Gold Key Scholarship.
- Jimmy Lasceski, of Shelby Township, a Utica High School graduate. Lasceski will be playing baseball at KCC and plans to study Business Administration. Lasceski received the Lindsay B. Draime Gold Key Scholarship.
- Mariam Mohamed, of Coldwater, a Coldwater High School graduate. Mohamad, who dual-enrolled at KCC, plans to study Nursing. Mohamed received the Southern Michigan Bank & Trust Gold Key Scholarship.
- Magan Priesman, of Bellevue, an Olivet High School graduate. Priesman, who dual-enrolled at KCC and also attended the Battle Creek Area Mathematics and Science Center, plans to study Nursing. Priesman received the Edward P. and Kathryn M. Bellas Gold Key Scholarship.
- Alaina Simmons, of Battle Creek, a Pennfield High School graduate. Simmons, who dual-enrolled at KCC, will be playing volleyball at KCC and plans to study Health Sciences. Simmons received the Virginia M. Hensley Gold Key Scholarship
- Gray Stockwell, of Fort Wayne, a Homestead Senior High School graduate. Stockwell, who dual-enrolled at Ivy Tech Community College, will be playing baseball at KCC and plans to study Exercise Science. Stockwell received the Dean O. Barnum Gold Key Scholarship.
- Coleton Vanderploeg, of Hudsonville, a Hudsonville High School graduate. Vanderploeg will be playing baseball at KCC and plans to study Exercise Science. Vanderploeg received the Dean O. Barnum Gold Key Scholarship.
- Kina White, of Washington state, a Steilacoom High School graduate. White will be running cross-country at KCC and plans to study Nursing. White received the Hugh McPherson Gold Key Scholarship.
View or download group or headshot photos of each scholarship recipient in our Dropbox at dropbox.com/scl/fo/7l12r3zdmk0uiv7tiy77h/ALjUvk3ZshH7mTA2f7pprlY?rlkey=qkkuscz97gker7hchll1japoa&st=iihhzdzj&dl=0.
For more information about the KCC Foundation or Gold Key Scholarships or to contribute to scholarships, please contact KCC Foundation Executive Director Michelle Williamson at 269-965-4161 or visit kellogg.edu/foundation.
For more news about Kellogg Community College, view our latest press releases online at https://daily.kellogg.edu/category/news-releases.
