MCCF News

MCCF Announces New Scholarship Fund in Memory of Michael Charles Albert

Michael Charles Albert

3/10/08 - The Marshall County Community Foundation (MCCF) is pleased to announce a new scholarship fund established in memory of Michael Charles Albert, a former student at Walkerton Elementary School. Michael passed away on November 21, 1994, due to a malignant brain tumor.

Michael was involved in basketball and band at Walkerton Elementary School. He participated in Walkerton Little League and bowling. He was just learning to play the piano before he died and wanted to play the saxophone someday. His quiet time at home was spent building with his Lego's and playing Nintendo.

Born on January 23, 1982, to Bill and Kari Albert, Michael was an only child. However, he was surrounded by a large and loving extended family. He was blessed to have both sets of grandparents, many aunts, uncles, and cousins to share his life with. Once cousin Mollie was born she became his surrogate "little sister." They were inseparable from that point on. He loved Gram's world famous egg sandwiches and Poppy's contagious sense of humor.

Michael had a love of nature and an understanding that it is our responsibility to care for it. He enjoyed spending time outdoors especially at Potato Creek State Park. He enjoyed walking the trails, fishing, camping, swimming, and riding his bike. For his entire life his special canine companion was Effie, his little white cockapoo. Effie was joined by a bird, cat, rat, and goldfish.

"Though Michael's time on earth was limited, we learned so much from his strength, faith, and courage. As a family, we feel blessed to be the 'chosen ones' to have had Michael," said Bill Albert.

The purpose of the memorial scholarship fund is to provide an annual scholarship to a John Glenn High School senior. Applications are available from the John Glenn High School Guidance Counselor and decisions are made by the Michael Charles Albert Scholarship Fund Committee.

Since its inception in 1994, many area residents have contributed to the scholarship fund. With the help of Ron Zeltwanger at 1st Source Bank, Kari & Bill Albert (Michael's parents) decided to entrust the Marshall County Community Foundation with the memorial scholarship fund.

"We started the scholarship fund ourselves and over the years the paperwork required by the IRS had become difficult and time consuming. We wanted to focus on the scholarship recipients-not paperwork. We also wanted to have a permanent home for the scholarship with a local organization who could manage the funds for us," said Kari Albert. "We felt the Marshall County Community Foundation was the best place for the scholarship and would ensure that our wishes are carried out long into the future."

The fund was established with $10,000. Executive Director Jennifer Maddox added, "The memorial scholarship fund will also receive a 25-cent match for every dollar donated (over the first $5,000) to start the scholarship because of our Generations Initiative. This means the fund will receive an additional $1,250 from the Initiative. I'm very pleased the scholarship fund will start with even more money."

"Additional contributions to the memorial scholarship fund are welcome," said Ms Maddox. "All donations are tax deductible and the scholarship fund will receive the Generations Initiative matching funds through June 20, 2008."

The mission of the Marshall County Community Foundation is to serve all of Marshall County, its people and its future through the growth and administration of endowment funding and philanthropy. For more information contact Jennifer S. Maddox, Executive Director, Marshall County Community Foundation at (574) 935-5159.