Tad Thatcher graduated from Thornapple Kellogg High school in 1990. Tad was an outstanding member of the TK Band, serving as student band director, had leading roles in school musicals, and in several rock bands. He simply loved music. Tad’s favorite classes at TK were biology, English and band. Tad received the Science Award, the English Award, the Drama Award and the John Phillip Sousa Band Award when he graduated from TK. He majored in biology at Adrian College where he received the Biology Award and Scholarship, as well as the freshman writing award at the end of his freshman year. He continued his involvement in concert and marching band throughout his college years. He also sang with rock and rap groups through college and medical school. He attended the Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine. In the last week of his residency at Garden City Hospital, Tad was tragically killed in an automobile accident. His parents, Pat and Duane Thatcher and his family established this scholarship for a student that exemplifies Tad’s characteristic as a scholar, musician, actor, singer, writer and a science and math enthusiast.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Student must be a graduating senior of Thornapple Kellogg Schools.
- Student must have a minimum 3.5 GPA.
- Student must be planning to pursue a 2 or 4 year degree in any field of medicine. If NO qualified student pursuing a degree in a medical field applies, applicants pursuing a degree in an area of Biology will be considered.
- Student must demonstrate community involvement through non-academic school activities, volunteer work, or work experience.
- Student will be evaluated on essay content.
- Student must participate in the music and or the dramatic arts program.