Local Students Named 2026 Ford Family Foundation Scholarship Recipients

Seventeen students from Douglas County communities are among the newest scholarship recipients announced by The Ford Family Foundation, joining a 2026-2027 class of scholars selected from across Oregon and Siskiyou County, California.

The Roseburg-based Foundation announced 259 scholarship recipients this year through its Ford Scholars, Ford Opportunity Scholars, Ford Transfer Scholars and Ford Sons and Daughters programs. The scholarships are designed to help students who have worked hard, shown resilience, and faced financial or other barriers on the path to higher education.

For local families, the announcement is more than a list of names. It is a reminder that students from small towns, rural schools, community colleges and nontraditional paths are still finding their way forward, and that support like this can help make that next step possible.

“This new class of Scholars embodies hard work and resilience, motivation and the ability to rise to meet challenges,” said Denise Callahan, director of postsecondary success at The Ford Family Foundation. “We are excited to support these leaders in reaching their fullest potential.”

The Foundation said its scholarships are available to a wide range of learners, including high school seniors, transfer students, adult learners and parenting students. Awards through the Ford Scholars, Ford Transfer Scholars and Ford Opportunity programs can include a renewable financial award of up to $40,000 per year, depending on financial need, cost of attendance and other scholarships received.

Beyond the financial award, the Foundation said students also receive academic guidance, leadership development, personal and professional support, and access to the Ford Family alumni network.

Local Ford Family Foundation Scholarship Recipients

Glide

• Rowyn Miller, Ford Scholars Program
  Glide High School, plans to attend Oregon State University.

Myrtle Creek

• Mariah Gallagher, Ford Scholars Program
  Days Creek Charter School, plans to attend Umpqua Community College.

Oakland

• Hudson Darwin, Ford Scholars Program
  Elkton Charter School, plans to attend the University of Oregon.

Reedsport

• Hadley Crockett, Ford Scholars Program
  Reedsport Community Charter School, plans to attend the University of Oregon.
• Joe Janiszewski, Ford Scholars Program
  Reedsport Community Charter School, plans to attend Corban University.

Riddle

• Jacob Logan, Ford Transfer Scholars Program
  Umpqua Community College, plans to attend Oregon State University.

Roseburg

• Audrey Rankin, Ford Opportunity Program
  Plans to attend Umpqua Community College.
• Ethan Brenner, Ford Scholars Program
  Douglas High School, plans to attend Umpqua Community College.
• Jeremy Smith, Ford Opportunity Program
  Plans to attend Portland State University.
• Kalyah Smith, Ford Transfer Scholars Program
  Umpqua Community College, plans to attend Oregon State University.
• Sheila Ullom, Ford Opportunity Program
  Plans to attend Southern Oregon University.
• Taylor Sands, Ford Scholars Program
  Roseburg High School, plans to attend Umpqua Community College.

Winchester

• Kelsey Howell, Ford Opportunity Program
  Plans to attend Umpqua Community College.
• Patricia Looney, Ford Opportunity Program
  Plans to attend Umpqua Community College.

Winston

• Alexa LaBorn, Ford Scholars Program
  Douglas High School, plans to attend Oregon State University.

Yoncalla

• Riley Templeton, Ford Scholars Program
  Yoncalla High School, plans to attend Bushnell University.
• Whitney Lewis, Ford Opportunity Program
  Plans to attend George Fox University.

What The Scholarships Support

The Ford Family Foundation offers several scholarship pathways, each aimed at students with different life and education experiences.

The Ford Scholars Program supports graduating high school seniors seeking a bachelor’s degree.

The Ford Transfer Scholars Program supports community college students who are ready to transfer to a four-year college.

The Ford Opportunity Program supports parents of any age, especially those parenting alone, along with adult learners over the age of 25 who are pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree.

The Foundation said it looks at the whole student, including academic potential, community engagement, work ethic, motivation and the ability to keep going through challenges. There is no minimum GPA requirement to apply.

For the 2026-2027 academic year, The Ford Family Foundation selected:

• 120 new Ford Scholars
• 90 new Ford Opportunity Scholars
• 25 new Ford Transfer Scholars
• 24 new Ford Sons and Daughters scholarship recipients

The Foundation, headquartered in Roseburg, has helped more than 6,000 students access a college degree. Since 1994, its scholarship programs have awarded more than $276 million to students.

For the local students named this year, the awards represent a major step toward college, career goals and the next chapter of their lives. They also reflect something Douglas County communities know well: talent and determination are not limited to large cities or big schools. Sometimes they come from small towns, rural classrooms, working families and students who simply needed someone to believe the next step was possible.