Betty Ann McCullough Fund Awards Grants

The Foundation's board of trustees awarded grants totaling $15,500 to Princeton Community Middle School Teacher Jo Ella Craven, Ft. Branch–Johnson Township Public Library, Oakland City–Columbia Township Public Library, Princeton Public Library, St. Joseph Catholic School, Gibson County Literacy Coalition and Princeton Community Middle School.  These grants are made possible by the Betty Ann McCullough Education Fund, which offers grants to support educational endeavors in mathematics, science, and language arts at any level in Gibson County.

After her death in 1997, friends and family created the fund in memory of Mrs. McCullough, who had been an educator for the North Gibson School Corporation for more than 40 years, had taught at Oakland City University, and had been a strong supporter of education in her community. Along with a number of civic memberships, Mrs. McCullough was a member of the Gibson County Community Foundation's board of trustees before her death.

Princeton Community Middle School, Jo Ella Craven
$1,500 for a Teaching Achievement Grant to Jo Ella Craven. As well as an English teacher and yearbook sponsor, Craven is involved in the Renaissance Committee, the school improvement team and the school technology committee.

Ft. Branch–Johnson Township Public Library
$600 for the Jump Start Spanish Program and expansion of the youth library.

Oakland City–Columbia Township Public Library
$3,000 for the "Catch the Reading Bug" program to enhance reading skills of students from Kindergarten through high school.

Princeton Public Library
$2,700 to purchase "early literacy stations" intended to introduce children at an earlier age to reading and writing, arts, science, reference, social studies, math and problem-solving, and computers.

St. Joseph Catholic School
$4,000 for partial funding of the "Exploding into Science" program.

Gibson County Literacy Coalition
$1,200 for GED testing scholarships.

Princeton Community Middle School
$2,500 for partial funding of the Future City and Toy Challenge, programs that help students learn about math, science, engineering and the design process.

"Friends and family of the late Betty Ann McCullough created a legacy of caring for education when they established the Betty Ann McCullough Education Fund," said Marlene Obert, President of the Foundation.