The Lakeview School District and the Lakeview Schools Educational Foundation (LSEF) are excited to announce that a new scholarship Fund is being established for Lakeview High School graduates.
Through the generosity of Douglas and Salena Johnson, two 2023 Lakeview graduates will each receive $500 scholarships toward post-secondary education at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
The Johnson’s have informally supported previous graduates, but they want to formalize this opportunity for Lakeview graduates in coming years. The Douglas and Salena Johnson Fund will be established as an addition to LSEF’s current academic scholarships.
Dr. SaIena Cox-Johnson grew up in Jackson MI She graduated from Jackson High School and attended Lansing Community College. She graduated from Spelman College with BS in Biology. She graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed her residency in Family Medicine also at Wayne State. She worked at Family Health Center in Kalamazoo and Family Health Center Battle Creek now known as Grace Health. She currently works at VA Medical Center in Battle Creek. Her experience at Spelman instilled a sense of awe and pride. Spelman College and The Atlanta University Center exemplified intelligence, integrity and excellence as the norm and not the exception for Black students. She is grateful for the sacrifices others made for her to be where she is today. Her desire is to honor them by paying in forward.
Douglas Johnson moved from Texas to Michigan in 1985. While living in Texas he was a park ranger. After moving to Battle Creek, he has held supervising positions at various manufacturing companies including Post, Johnson Controls, Leer Manufacturing and Advantage Sintered Metals. He enhanced his skills by taking courses in human resource management. He advocates college education, however does not believe that everyone must attend college to be successful and have a life they desire. Education is available in many forms including skilled trades. He believes we should be good stewards of the talents and gifts we are given. He believes that everyone should strive for higher learning in all aspects of their life. He believes that the Black Community should invest in our youth and community as our ancestors did in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The Lakeview community is thankful that the Johnson’s are choosing to invest in the future of Lakeview graduates and are choosing to focus on the unique opportunities offered by Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCU) in the United States.
How to Apply: Fill out the linked application form and submit by April 1.
The Johnson’s also invite the wider Battle Creek community to contribute to this Fund so that additional post-secondary opportunities can be provided to Lakeview graduates.
To contribute now, send a check to LSEF-Johnson Fund, 15 Arbor Street, Battle Creek, MI 49015 or go to lsefspartans.org and select select the PayPal option and note funds are for the Johnson Fund.
