Back in 2008, when Adam Welty applied for a scholarship through Galesburg Community Foundation to help offset the cost of his dental education at Southern Illinois University in Alton, he knew exactly where he wanted to end up. “I plan to come back to Galesburg and practice dentistry and hopefully help the community out any way I can,” he said at the time.
Looking back, Dr. Welty has gained a broad perspective on how the scholarship he received helped him do just that. With it, he was able to graduate from dental school with a lighter burden of loans, allowing him to focus on the transition into practice. But the support of the scholarship gave him something perhaps even more important. “When you know that you are being invested in by the community, it is empowering and enriching,” said Dr. Welty.
Today, students in Knox and Warren Counties and the surrounding area have the same opportunity to pursue their goals with their community behind them. From February to March 1, Galesburg Community Foundation is accepting applications for scholarships that have all been made possible by the gifts of generous community members. Learn more about the scholarships.
“We’ve made it easy to apply online to the scholarships you’re eligible for, so we encourage all students to see what’s available,” said Jillian Isaacson, Director of Grants and Programs for the Community Foundation. “Just like the donors who made gifts to establish these scholarships, we know that when our students succeed, so do our communities.”
Dr. Welty has established a dental practice in Galesburg and joined the Community Foundation’s board of directors in 2021. “I care deeply about this community,” he said, “and I want folks to know that the community cares so much about those who live here, too.”
