From left: Dr. Laurie Owen, Grace College School of Education Dean; Jill Jackson, Kosciusko Work Ethic Certificate representative; and Dr. William Katip, Grace College president. Photo provided.

WARSAW — Officials for Kosciusko’s Work Ethic Certificate campaign recently announced that Grace College and Manchester University will both support the campaign.

Grace has agreed to offer Work Ethic Certificate recipients the following incentives if they choose to go to Grace: free online application, a minimum merit scholarship of $20,000 ($5,000 per year), waiver of the $200 enrollment deposit, free tutoring in the Learning Center and free access to the campus gym upon enrollment.

Students who earn the certificate and choose to attend Manchester will be given priority application, guaranteed a minimum $12,000 scholarship, a guaranteed on-campus job interview, free tutoring and free on-campus services such as gym, parking and laundry from the university. These perks apply to students graduating in 2020 and entering college Fall of 2020.

The Work Ethic Certificate is a prestigious award available to seniors who demonstrate that they are “future-ready.” Earning the award is a two-part process. Students must first have a strong attendance rate, have no discipline issues, meet the GPA qualifications and have amassed a certain number of work experience or community service hours. They are then evaluated on soft skills identified as necessary for success by local employers such as teamwork, leadership, initiative, accountability and punctuality among others.

From left, are Dr. David McFadden, Manchester University president; Dr. Abagail L. Van Vlerah, Manchester University vice-president for student life; and Jill Jackson, Kosciusko Work Ethic Certificate representative. Photo provided.

“Manchester University is committed to graduating persons of ability and conviction who will go on to lead principled, productive and compassionate lives that improve the human condition,” said Manchester University President Dave McFadden. “That’s our mission. This partnership is a natural for us. Students who have earned the Work Ethic Certificate are ‘future-ready,’ and we invite them to visit campus and decide whether we are the right fit for their future.”

“Grace College is pleased to support the Kosciusko Work Ethic Certificate program,” said Dr. Mark Pohl, associate vice-president of enrollment management and financial aid at Grace College. “We are thrilled to reward future-ready seniors in our county for their good character and hard work.”

Both schools join Ivy Tech Community College-Warsaw in local schools providing Work Ethic Certificate recognition. The certificate is an initiative of the Governor’s office to help fulfill the needs of today’s labor market. The intention of this program is to provide employers with a capable workforce and at the same time provide any Kosciusko graduate with strong employment options and rewards upon graduating.

Last year, 3,102 graduates in Indiana earned the award. Locally, 30 students from Warsaw Community High School earned the award, as well as 20 students from Tippecanoe Valley High School and 33 from Whitko High School.