Panthera Edge
Making a difference one person at a time.
Background:
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This scholarship is in memory of two Panthera Edge family members who lives were taken too soon, Jim Brown and his daughter Katherine. Jim was raising his family in the West Michigan area and his children attended and graduated from Coopersville High School. The Kik-Brown family has a long list of family members dating back to the early 1920’s who have attended and graduated from Michigan State University. Jim was a graduate of MSU and Katherine had begun her sophomore year as a Spartan.
Understanding the importance of education along with an affection for MSU, Panthera Edge developed this College Scholar Initiative in their memory to be awarded to a Coopersville High School senior who has been accepted and will attend MSU.
The Jim and Katherine
Brown Scholarship
Background continued:
Both Jim and Katherine were fully engaged in life and recognized the importance of living life to its fullest and understood how education plays a crucial role. With this father and daughter shared characteristic, Panthera Edge distinguishes its scholarship by developing personal relationships with their scholarship students throughout their time at MSU.
An initial award of $3000 is awarded for the student’s freshman year at MSU. Throughout the year the Executive Director connects via email correspondence and together all three directors meet with the students once a year, building the relationship, and award the student an additional grant for year 2, year 3, and year 4 of up to $1,500. This additional award is given at the sole discretion of the directors.
The Jim & Katherine Brown Scholarship expanded to Ravenna High School located in West Michigan. Jim worked in the town of Ravenna and was quite involved in the community.