The Kirtland Community College Foundation has an endowed scholarship fund that honors one of the original members of the Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees.
The scholarship fund – “The Robert Bovee Scholarship for Health Sciences” – bears the name of the former Robert Bovee of Grayling, who in 1966 was one of the first six board members to help determine the direction of Kirtland after voters in six K-12 school districts voted to establish the two-year college.
“Only five of us were at the first board meeting,” said Bovee, as quoted in “A Setting for Success,” a history of Kirtland written by two instructors, Jon Thompson and Nancy Lemmen. “We looked at each other and said, ‘What do we do now?’ We had no money, no property, no faculty, no employees.”
Bovee passed away on May 28, 2009, at Mercy Hospital in Grayling at the age of 82. With the exception of two years, Bovee served as a Kirtland board member from 1966 to 2007, a total of 39 years. That included 12 years as the board’s chairman.
“He just liked it,” said Fay Bovee, his wife of 63 years. “That was his whole life, I think.
“See, he liked kids. He liked young people,” she added of her husband’s bond with Kirtland. “It’s something he liked to do. He believed in young people.”
Besides his work at KCC, Bovee was a long-time teacher for Crawford-AuSable Schools, teaching math and science at Grayling High School, as well as directing school plays. He was also a civic leader, volunteering with the local R.S.V.P program and the Kiwanis Club, which he joined in 1951 and later served as the organization’s secretary for more than 25 years.
The Robert Bovee Scholarship for Health Sciences will provide financial assistance in the form of annual academic scholarships for students enrolled in any of Kirtland’s Health Sciences programs.
Kirtland Foundation Director Tim Hagen-Foley explained “In his final days when he needed help, there were a lot of Kirtland nursing students there providing care for Mr. Bovee. He and the family were very appreciative of the kindness and assistance those people provided.”
“So, there’s a huge connection there … and why the family feels so appreciative,” he added. “As a way to show their gratitude, the family wants to help fund this scholarship to help train future health professionals here at Kirtland.”
To contribute to the Robert Bovee Scholarship for Health Sciences, mail checks to KCC Foundation, C/O Robert Bovee Scholarship, 10775 N. St. Helen Road, Roscommon, MI 48653.
