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Lemke Education Scholarship Foundation announces inaugural $10,000‑per‑year award for Northumberland seniors
Summary
Douglas and Sharon Lemke presented a new private scholarship foundation that will offer one full four‑year scholarship — $10,000 per year — to a Northumberland County Schools senior; the foundation reported it is self‑funded and expects the award to grow over time.
Douglas and Sharon Lemke told the Board of Supervisors they have established the Douglas and Sharon Lemke Education Scholarship Foundation to provide scholarships exclusively to graduates of Northumberland County Schools.
What they announced: The foundation awarded its first scholarship to Chloe Brand and said the scholarship is intended to be $10,000 per year for up to four years (totaling $40,000 for the initial awardee). The Lemkes said the foundation is privately funded from their estate and is intended to be a perpetual scholarship program administered by a private foundation structure they are organizing with legal and IRS counsel.
Eligibility and process: The Lemkes said applicants must live in Northumberland County and attend county schools; the foundation interviewed 10 finalists this year and intends to improve outreach so all eligible seniors know about the award. The Lemkes noted the program is a work in progress: they are completing legal formation and IRS filings and will refine outreach with school guidance counselors and local media.
Why it matters: The foundation's singular, full‑tuition‑style scholarship is aimed at keeping local students in the county pipeline and increasing access to higher education; the Lemkes emphasized the program will not draw on county funds and is privately financed.
Next steps: The Lemkes said they will finalize foundation governance and IRS status and expand outreach so future cohorts include all eligible seniors. The board thanked them; no formal county action or funding was requested.
