The Gates Foundation-Ross County Scholar’s Fund announces 2026 class of area recipients

Article presented by Pike County Career & Technology Center …

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (June 16, 2026) – The Gates Foundation-Ross County Scholar’s Fund has announced the 2026 class of recipients, with scholarships being awarded to 18 continuing and incoming college students from the area.

Larry Gates and his wife, Mary, established the fund to relieve much of the financial stress involved with attending college, thus helping talented, hard-working Ross County students pursue their ambitions. This marks the 23rd class of scholars, and since the scholarship fund’s inception in 2004, approximately 350 scholarships have been presented.

In all, 10 of this year’s recipients have selected Ohio University Athens or Ohio University Chillicothe as their college homes. 

Following is a list of the 2026 class of The Gates Foundation-Ross County Scholar’s Fund recipients:

Seniors

Olivia Beatty – Ohio University Athens campus
Isabella Fischer – Mount Saint Joseph University
Drew Lane – The Ohio State University
Aiden Spaulding – Ohio University Athens campus

Juniors

Kailee Adkins – Ohio University Chillicothe campus
Connor Davis – Wilmington College
Hannah Hull – Ohio University Athens campus
Jadan Lamerson – Ohio University Athens campus
Maya McCoy – Ohio University Chillicothe campus
Kayla Penn – Wright State University

Sophomores

Aaron Ballentine – Rider University
Macklin Mohan – The Ohio State University
William Skeens – Ohio University Athens campus
Emma Willett – Ohio University Athens campus

Freshmen

Carlie Clark – Ohio University Athens campus
Magnolia Holbert – University of Cincinnati
Cooper Stoneking – Wilmington College
Keagan Willison – Ohio University Athens campus

Gates Foundation Directors include Nicole McLaughlin, Michelle Shanholtzer, Matthew Haller, Kimberly Hirsch, Nancy Harris, Jack Jeffery and Valerie Miller. Since the scholarship fund was initiated, the membership of the committee has remained intact.

“We are appreciative of the dedication of the committee members,” Mr. and Mrs. Gates said. “These individuals reflect the spirit of the scholarship fund in helping make this vision become a reality.”

The fund is administered by the Ohio University Foundation, the private fundraising arm of the University. More information on the Gates Foundation-Ross County Scholar’s Fund is available online at https://give.ohio.edu/advancement/gates-scholarship.