Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation

For good. For ever.

306 South University Avenue Mount Pleasant, MI, 48858 United States

(989) 773-7322

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Isabella County, now and for generations to come, by attracting and holding permanent endowed funds from a wide range of donors, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

 Robert J. Lippert Scholarship Fund

Robert J. Lippert was born May 17, 1932, in Alma, MI. A 1950 graduate of Alma High School, Bob served in the U.S. Navy and then became the first in his family to attend college. He graduated from Central Michigan University receiving both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics and a specialist’s degree in education. This ignited his passion for teaching and he used his education to start his career as a math and drafting teacher at Mt. Pleasant High School. Always going beyond his job, Bob led the Driver’s Education program and taught a lot of the Mt. Pleasant population how to drive. Bob also served as the Sports Information Director at MPHS, and his help eventually extended to CMU where he was an avid booster.

In addition to teaching, Bob also worked nights at the Embers restaurant where he developed his love for cooking under the tutelage of his long-time friend, Clarence Tuma. When MPHS was looking to start a vocational foods program, Bob was a perfect fit. He accepted that opening and never looked back. His program became one of the best in the country, winning multiple state and national awards. But what he was most proud of was helping many young students find a direction and get a career in the hospitality industry. His former students continue to operate some of the best restaurants in the country.

Bob became a member of and leader in many national culinary organizations, including the Order of the Golden Toque and the American Culinary Federation. In 2013, he was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs Culinary Hall of Fame. He also held teaching positions at Michigan State University and Lansing Community College, and was instrumental in launching the Culinary Arts program at Ferris State University.

Bob poses at an awards event in a tuxedo
Bob speaks at a podium

His biggest love was his family, and with them he shared his value of education. Bob and his wife Marie helped their three sons (Rob, Jeff, and Mark) get a college education. That gift extended to his seven grandchildren. When Bob passed away in 2018, his family created the Robert J. Lippert Scholarship Fund to support Gratiot-Isabella Technical Education Center students pursuing post-secondary culinary arts education. The Fund’s assets were transitioned to an endowment at the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation in 2022 where they will continue to grow through investment and additional contributions.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria to apply for the Robert J. Lippert Scholarship:

  • Student shall be graduating from a high school located in Gratiot or Isabella County, or shall be a current college student who previously graduated from a high school located in Gratiot or Isabella County;

  • Student shall have participated in the culinary arts program through the Gratiot-Isabella Technical Education Center;

  • Student shall be planning to enroll or is currently enrolled at an accredited college, university, or culinary school; and

  • Student shall be planning to pursue a career in culinary arts.

Preference

In selecting the most qualified applicant to receive the scholarship among those meeting all criteria above, reviewers should give preference to the following:

• Student has demonstrated financial need.

*This fund will award scholarships once it’s fully funded*