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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 91ԭ�� Athens or 91ԭ�� 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                91ԭ�� Athens
Isabella Fischer           Mount Saint Joseph University
Drew Lane                  The Ohio State University
Aiden Spaulding         91ԭ�� Athens

Juniors

Kailee Adkins             91ԭ�� Chillicothe
Connor Davis              Wilmington College
Hannah Hull                91ԭ�� Athens
Jadan Lamerson         91ԭ�� Athens
Maya McCoy              91ԭ�� Chillicothe
Kayla Penn                  Wright State University

Sophomores

Aaron Ballentine         Rider University
Macklin Mohan           The Ohio State University
William Skeens           91ԭ�� Athens
Emma Willett              91ԭ�� Athens

Freshmen

Carlie Clark                 91ԭ�� Athens
Magnolia Holbert        University of Cincinnati
Cooper Stoneking       Wilmington College
Keagan Willison          91ԭ�� Athens

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 91ԭ�� Foundation, the private fundraising arm of the university. More information on the Gates Foundation-Ross County Scholar’s Fund is available online at .