Grace Elizabeth Groner Foundation Grant Program
The Grace Elizabeth Groner Grant Program is the result of a remarkable $7 million bequest by Miss Groner, a 1931 graduate of the College, who died January, 2010, at the age of 100. The program commemorates her belief in young people, her desire to enrich their education and future and her commitment to the students of Lake Forest College.
As someone who lived through the Great Depression, Grace Groner lived simply and without ostentation. She valued her education, made possible by her own benefactors and appreciated the opportunity to travel, made possible through her employment at Abbott Laboratories. In the spirit of giving back to others what she herself received, Grace generously donated funds to assist Lake Forest College students to participate in off-campus study programs, internships and service opportunities.
Eligibility Requirements
1. Must be a second semester freshman, sophomore, junior or senior at the time of application.
2. Must have a 3.00 GPA at the time of application and maintain it until the end of participation.
3. Must be in good judicial standing and have no history of any judicial problems or unlawful acts.
4. Must demonstrate merit through character and commitment to Lake Forest College and the community.
5. Must be accepted by a Grace Elizabeth Groner Foundation approved study program, internship and MUST include a service component.
TO APPLY: Download and complete a Grace Elizabeth Groner Grant Application. Submit it, in person, by the deadlines listed below.
Applicants will be required to provide a copy of a Lake Forest College transcript printed directly from my.lakeforest. The transcript should accompany the application.
A writing sample and resume must accompany the application. The writing sample can be any written work that has been submitted for a course or that has been written for personal purposes.
Additionally, students will be required to submit an Advisor Recommendation Form and a Dean Recommendation Form.
Each applicant will be required to obtain two additional recommendations, an academic and a character recommendation. The academic recommendation should be from a faculty member and the character recommendation should be from a coach, club sponsor, or any other person who can attest to the character of the applicant.
Upon submitting the application, students will be required to sign a release form authorizing the Grace Elizabeth Groner Foundation to request judicial records.
If the grant application is for study abroad, an internship or service project that is 20 miles or more from campus, an itemized budget must be submitted with the accompanying application materials.
Deadlines
For Off-Campus Study Programs: April 1st for participation in the following summer or academic year.
For Internships: April 1st for summer and fall internships. October 1st for spring internships.
For Service Opportunities: April 1st for summer and fall. November 1st for spring service.
Submit all applications, in person, to Daniela Resendiz at the Grace Elizabeth Groner Foundation office in Stuart Commons on Middle Campus.
Accepted students must meet with Daniela Resendiz to sign all necessary documents within 48 hours after notification.
NOTE:
Recipients will be required to complete weekly summaries, including photographs, of their experiences throughout the duration of the program. Summaries and photographs must be e-mailed by Sunday evenings to Daniela Resendiz at resende@lakeforest.edu.
Recipients will be required to attend the Fall Cookout and the Spring Pizza Party. These events provide Groner Recipients with the opportunity to meet the Foundation Trustees and other Groner Recipients.
Recipients will be expected to attend “Lunch with Speakers” seminars and other selected events which will be held on campus throughout the academic year.
Recipients will be required to turn in a reflection essay by the last day of class to Daniela Resendiz at the Grace Elizabeth Groner Foundation office in Stuart Commons on Middle Campus or at resende@lakeforest.edu. For summer programs, reflection essays should be submitted within seventy-two hours after the completion of the program.
If, for any reason, a selected Groner Recipient does NOT participate in the anticipated program, internship or service opportunity or fails to remain in good academic and judicial standing, the Groner Grant will be withdrawn and any funds already paid must be reimbursed. Furthermore, the student will no longer be considered a Groner Recipient and upon commencement the student will not become one of Grace’s Fellows.
Grace Elizabeth Groner Foundation funds are not transferable from project to project. Each proposal submitted to the foundation is considered on its own merit. Any student or professor with a Grace Elizabeth Groner Foundation grant must use it for the stated purpose. If the stated purpose fails to occur for any reason the grant lapses.
If, for any reason, a student fails to begin and successfully complete an internship or fellowship opportunity, the student will be ineligible for further participation in the program.
