Photo courtesy of Lilly Scholars Network
Brown County Forge owner Terran Marks has been named to the inaugural class of the Lilly Scholars Network Academy. The statewide leadership development program is designed exclusively for Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program alumni.
“The inaugural class includes 23 outstanding individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and service within their communities,” LSN said in a press release.
Marks was a Lilly Endowment Community Scholar in 2003. He serves on the Brown County Community Foundation Grants Committee.
The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program helps raise the educational attainment in the state while increasing awareness of beneficial roles scholars can play in their communities. It also encourages past scholars to engage and collaborate with other alumni.
Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition — totaling more than $490 million since its inception in 1998 — and also covers required fees and grants a special allocation for required books and equipment for four years. The scholarship only applies to full-time undergraduate students leading to a baccalaureate degree at an eligible public or private nonprofit college or university.
The LSN Academy, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. with oversight from Indiana Humanities, was created in response to interest among scholars in establishing a statewide program to inform them on Indiana issues and to provide opportunities for deeper engagement, according to a press release.
“The LSN Academy complements other LSN programs and events by providing a deeper dive into the challenges and opportunities in our state while providing a unique leadership development opportunity for our alumni Lilly Endowment Community Scholars,” said LSN Program Director Bryana Schreiber.
Over the course of eight months, from October to May 2025, academy participants will be provided opportunities to enhance leadership skills, expand their networks and engage with critical issues facing Indiana.
The program is set to focus on five key themes: economy and innovation, education, environment, public health and quality of life. The inaugural class will travel around the state to explore each topic from urban, rural and suburban perspectives.
