(Batesville, IN) – The Fran and Jean Burst Educational Foundation recently held a reception and awarded $48,000 to seven area college students.
The recipients are Lily Meyer, Josie Meyer, Rachel Kuntz, Thomas Hartman, Anna Gerth, Ryan Geis, and Chloe Bohman.
The Fran and Jean Burst Educational Foundation was created to provide college or technical education assistance for Batesville High School and Oldenburg Academy graduates; it also offers scholarships to high school students interested in attending Culver Academy.
A reception honoring these students was held on July 31 in the Bulldog Room at Batesville High School.
Anna Gerth, 2021 BHS graduate addressed the group, and she encouraged the other scholarship recipients to dream big, get out of their comfort zones, and work to become a better version of themselves.
Dr. Jim Freeland was also honored at the reception. Nearly 30 ago, Mrs. Jean Burst approached him with an idea to set up a foundation to help deserving students pay for college. The two of them worked with Jean’s attorney and her CPA to create a foundation that has done just that. Jim has served on the board of directors since the foundation’s inception and is stepping down from the board this year. He was praised for his leadership, guidance and support over the last 28 years.
Over the past 25 years, the Burst Foundation has awarded $553,000 to area graduates.
Chloe Bohman plans to attend the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College to study business; Greg and Lenee Meyer are Chloe’s parents.
Ryan Geis is the son of Laura and Chris Geis, and he plans to study business and marketing at Indiana University Columbus.
Anna Gerth is studying neuroscience, criminal justice, and sign language at IU Bloomington and is the daughter of Anthony and Carrie Gerth.
Thomas Hartman is the son of Randall and Robin Hartman; Thomas studies entrepreneurship at the University of Dayton.
Rachel Kuntz studies biology with a minor in health administration at IU Indianapolis and is the daughter of Carol Kuntz.
Josie Meyer is the daughter of Doug and Cortney Meyer, and she plans to study civil and environmental engineering at the University of Dayton.
Lily Meyer is the daughter of Bryan and Angela Meyer and is studying data science at IU Bloomington.
(Fran and Jean Burst Educational Foundation press release)
