Logan Stuart is one of many local students who have benefited from a scholarship fund, stewarded by the Community Foundation. Last year we awarded $1.24 million from more than 200 scholarship funds to 434 students from 60 high schools.

When people leave a legacy through the Community Foundation, a lot of work goes into making sure those wishes are honored and carried through.

Loraine Dittman

One of many examples is the legacy of Loraine Dittman, who died at age 82 in 2015. Loraine and her late husband Kenneth grew up in Gillett, and never had children of their own. But they were so passionate about helping young people in their community afford a college education that – in addition to their tireless volunteering and giving – Loraine left a bequest of nearly $2.4 million to the Kenneth C. Dittman and Loraine M. Dittman Scholarship Fund established at the Shawano Area Community Foundation, one of our five regional affiliate partners. 

We’re making sure this fund will benefit the youth from two local communities forever. The couple directed that 60% of the fund’s proceeds support scholarships in Gillett and 40% in Suring. The fund awards $100,000 a year in college scholarships to six Gillett High School graduates and five from Suring High School. The scholarships create a huge opportunity for the Gillett and Suring communities to help students realize their dreams and enhance their futures.

“Ken and Loraine would be so happy that their scholarship is helping so many individuals,” says Linda Rock, a fund contact for the Dittmans. “The foundation is an incredible keeper of their vision and desire to further education.”

Scholarship recipients often write to us to thank us for managing these funds that offer so much hope to so many. Here is a note we received from Suring High School graduate Logan Stuart (pictured above), who is attending St. Norbert College in De Pere:

“I am honored to be chosen as a recipient of the Kenneth C and Loraine M Dittman Scholarship. This scholarship will be so instrumental in helping me to focus on my schooling and not worry so much about my finances.  A medical degree is an investment in my future and I cannot say ‘Thank You’ enough for your support and investment in me.”

Logan’s $10,000 scholarship will help him get there.