First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest (FPC) has offered Plansoen Family Scholarships to deserving Lake Forest College (LFC) Students for five years beginning with the 2016 – 2017 academic year.
The church’s vision of the program from its beginning was to provide financial assistance to deserving LFC students along with helping those students develop and strengthen their faith, and find meaning in their life through church and community service. During the school year, Plansoen Scholars will participate in the life and community of FPC. In addition, Plansoen Scholars will regularly meet as a group with the Church’s Plansoen Scholarship Director who serves as their guide and mentor. The goal of the program is to demonstrate to each student the impact they can have through service and to provide an opportunity to grow spiritually by participating in the FPC community of faith.
This is the third year that Dr. Don Dempsey volunteered to direct the program for the upcoming 2022 – 2023 academic year. Don once again worked with Jerry Cebrzynski, Associate VP for Financial Aid at LFC. This past year we received over 45 applications. The list of candidates was narrowed down to 16 final candidates who were then interviewed. The following five church members were a part of the interview team: Jen Redding, Mike Conklin, John Gescheidle, John Johnson, and John McNicholas.
Once again we are grateful to the Plansoen Family Foundation for their on-going funding of this meaningful program that assists deserving LFC Students and brings together students and members of FPC for such a meaningful and shared ministry. In particular we wish to thank Susie Schlachtenhaufen, Trust Consultant for the Plansoen Family Foundation.
This year’s Plansoen Family Scholars:
Gabriel (Gabe) Anzeze
Gabe is a rising senior at Lake Forest College majoring in Economics and Politics. He grew up in Nairobi, Kenya.
Maria Fernandez
Maria is a rising senior, a Sociology and Anthropology Major with a Minor in Business. She is from North Chicago.
Alden (A.J.) Jackson
Alden “AJ” is a rising Senior at Lake Forest College and a Philosophy Major. AJ grew up in Goodyear, AZ.
Jovana Jovanivska
Jovana is a rising Senior at Lake Forest College with a major in Biology and Politics and an aspiring Epidemiologist. She grew up in her home country of North Macedonia.
Kamden Kuklinski
Kamden is a rising Senior at Lake Forest College majoring in Neuroscience. He grew up in Gurnee.
Massiel Sanchez
Massiel is finishing up her senior year this fall semester at LFC. She is a Psychology major with a minor in Sociology.
Don is pleased to be introducing this year’s Plansoen Family Scholars to the congregation on Festival Sunday, September 11 at morning worship. Please welcome Gabriel, Maria, A.J., Jovana, Kamden, and Massiel to our community of faith here at FPC.