Mike & Cindy Taylor Family Scholarship Created to honor the Holmes County Education Foundation’s 30th Anniversary
The Mike and Cindy Taylor Family Scholarship was established recently by the couple with a $30,000 gift in honor of the Holmes County Education Foundation’s 30th anniversary. The scholarship will assist both traditional and non-traditional students as they pursue their higher education goals. Those eligible for this scholarship must be a Holmes County graduating senior or adult student that resides in Holmes County. The student must be pursuing a field of study in accounting, business, medicine, or nursing and preference will be given to those students attending Bowling Green State University, Otterbein University, Malone University, or the University of Akron Wayne College. The award will be presented annually and is limited to tuition, fees, and course-related expenses such as fees, books, supplies and equipment that are required of all students in the course of instruction. This scholarship is renewable.
Mike is a graduate of West Holmes High School, and Cindy graduated from Hiland High School. Mike earned an accounting degree from Bowling Green State University and was employed with Rea & Associates, Inc. for 47 years as a Certified Public Accountant. Cindy worked in the areas of manufacturing, financial, health, and stayed at home to raise their two children: Sasha and Dustin. Sasha works at Huntington Insurance and is married to Justin Smith. Dustin works at Weaver Leather and is married to Keli and they have two sons, Mason and Lane.
The couple are founding members and currently serve on the Holmes County Share-a-Christmas board. Both Mike and Cindy enjoy volunteering within St. John’s Lutheran Church. Over the years, Cindy was active in Modern Mothers Club and Business & Professional Women organizations. Mike was involved with Holmes Fire District 1, Holmes County Emergency Medical Services Council, Holmes County Chamber of Commerce, Pomerene Hospital, Leadership Holmes County, Harvest Ridge, Killbuck Valley Longbeards, and the Holmes County Community Foundation. Through his collaboration with the Rea Foundation, Mike was instrumental in the establishment of the Marcia L. Stutzman Memorial Scholarship. The couple is now retired and enjoys time with their family, friends, traveling, camping and hunting.
Mike Taylor stated, “Cindy and I have been long time supporters of the Holmes County Education Foundation. I was active on the advisory board and on the Foundation board for many years. We believe in giving back to the community and what better way to do that than to establish a scholarship that will benefit young people in our county for years to come. We would encourage others to consider establishing their own scholarship. Investing in and encouraging our youth to further their education will pay big dividends in the future.”
Foundation Executive Director Darla Stitzlein commented, “We are extremely grateful that Mike and Cindy chose to honor our 30 years of accomplishments by creating this scholarship to benefit future students. It’s a wonderful testament that shows how much they care about the success of Holmes County and those within.”
The Holmes County Education Foundation currently administers 63 named endowed scholarships and has been encouraging further education for Holmes County residents by awarding well over $9 million in scholarships and grants since 1991. Students interested in applying for scholarships administered by the Holmes County Education Foundation may visit the Foundation’s website at www.hcef.net. The next scholarship application period begins January 6, 2020. Current Foundation scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply for this new scholarship. Additional contributions are welcomed to this scholarship fund and all other funds held by the Foundation.
To learn more about establishing a scholarship with the Holmes County Education Foundation, stop in at the Foundation office located in Millersburg at the Cary House, 114 North Clay Street or contact Darla Stitzlein, Executive Director, at (330) 674-7303.