J. Sheridan Stewart Scholarship

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Virginia Allison Tompkins had a passion for preserving the history of Tompkins Township, Michigan through her work with the Tompkins Center Historical Society, Tompkins Extension, Pope United Methodist Church, and Lincoln Cemetery.  She was also a fourth grade teacher at Northwest Community Schools.

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Virginia established this scholarship in honor of J. Sheridan Stewart.  According to the Tompkins Historical Society, he "was born on his family's Centennial Farm in Tompkins Township on November 7, 1917.  He attended Tompkins Center School in the Village, graduated from Jackson High School in 1935, and was a graduate of Michigan State University in Agricultural Science.

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Sheridan was always a very community-oriented citizen, serving many years as Trustee on the Township Board, a longtime member of the Tompkins Cemetery Association, and a member of the Tompkins Grange.  His main interests in life were farming, hunting and the stock market.  He described himself as, 'a farmer and an investor.'

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In his final years he made the decision to leave his 175-acre family Centennial Farm to the Township of Tompkins to be used for a possible building site for a new Town Hall and fire station, with the balance to be developed into recreational facilities, including ball fields, soccer fields, nature trails, a township museum and other public activities.  This 175-acre Centennial Farm is said to be the largest acreage ever donated to any Township in the State of Michigan."

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Eligibility Requirements:

• Residents of Tompkins Township in Jackson County, Michigan who are graduating high school seniors from Northwest Community Schools, Springport Public Schools, Western School District,  Leslie Public Schools, or previous recipients

• GPA of 2.5 or higher

• Plans to attend an accredited Michigan college or university

• Majors in agriculture, engineering, health care or education

• Demonstrates financial need

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Renewable: Yes, up to three times

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Scholarship Award:  Up to $1,000

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Scholarship Use: Tuition and fees

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