COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
SCHOLARSHIPS MOLD PEOPLE
AND FUTURES
Trey Nixon’s scholarship and the choices it gave him
have provided him opportunities and shaped his
future in aerospace engineering.
“Ever since I was young, I had a passion for taking
things apart, analyzing them, and putting them back
together, just to understand how they worked and
maybe even make them better! I became passionate
about engineering and the opportunity to advance
my skills and abilities to make things better every day.
When I was awarded the Lilly Scholarship, I decided
to attend Indiana State University (ISU) and instead
of being overwhelmed by the debt of student loans
or needing to find work to pay for school, the Lilly
Scholarship enabled me to focus on my education and
get involved in activities on the campus. It inspired me
to grow in areas of leadership and communication as
part of the Black Student Union and in co-establishing
a chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers
at ISU.”
“As an undergraduate engineering student at ISU, I
wanted to work in the field of Aerospace Engineering,
but I thought that I would be forced to move out of
state after graduation to begin my career in that field.
I’m a Lilly Scholar, though, and taking to heart the
purpose of that scholarship, I wanted to give back to
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EXTOL : FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020
the state of Indiana and worked hard to find my path
in-state. I can proudly say that I was accepted to the
University Relations Program at Honeywell, Inc. in
South Bend, Indiana.”
“Winning the Lilly Scholarship played a significant
role in shaping me into who I am today. I graduated
Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Mechanical
Engineering Technology and a minor in Advanced
Manufacturing Management in May 2015. I am now a
Manufacturing Engineer II at Honeywell Inc., in South
Bend, a part of their Aerospace Division. I have been
a part of Honeywell and a resident of Mishawaka,
Indiana, for almost 4 years. I work directly in the
Carbon Maintenance Department, where I utilize
my leadership and problem-solving skills to not
only repair equipment issues but also to improve
equipment function, which helps to avoid problem
reoccurrences, improving process capability. Outside
of work, I stay involved in the Michiana community
through my church, Christian Life Center, also
located in South Bend.”
In spring of 2019, the Community Foundation of
Southern Indiana awarded over 100 scholarships
worth a combined value of over $450,000.