#United States #scholarship #Education #Benton Harbor #Whirlpool Foundation

Whirlpool Foundation 2026 Scholarship Recipients Announced

The Whirlpool Foundation, dedicated to promoting educational initiatives, has revealed its esteemed recipients for the 2026 Sons and Daughters College and Vocational Training Scholarship Program. This year, twenty promising students, hailing from eleven different U.S. communities where Whirlpool Corporation operates, have been awarded scholarships as part of a long-standing tradition that now spans 74 years.

Celebrating Future Leaders

With a commitment to supporting the next generation, the Whirlpool Foundation has distributed a remarkable $585,000 in funding for higher education this year. Each award signifies not just financial assistance but also the foundation's ongoing dedication to fostering academic success among the children of Whirlpool employees. Eligible applicants, who are children of Whirlpool's 20,000 U.S. employees, were selected through a competitive process, showcasing the capabilities and aspirations of high school seniors.

Traci Robinson, managing director of the Whirlpool Foundation, emphasized the impact of these scholarships: _“We are proud to invest directly in the future of America’s next generation of leaders through this long-standing scholarship program. We have seen firsthand how these awards make a tangible difference, providing the educational foundation these students need to launch their chosen career paths.”_

Meet the Recipients

The following are the distinguished students awarded scholarships this year:

From the Global Headquarters in Benton Harbor, Michigan:

• - Logan Bellinger - Child of Ryan Bellinger
• - Juhi Bhatt - Child of Aarti Mutatkar
• - Samara Kiwale - Child of Christopher Kiwale (Vocational)
• - Elijah Neidlinger - Child of Jason Neidlinger
• - Audrey Rodewald - Child of Marci Rodewald
• - Pihu Sahai - Child of Tiru Sahai
• - Ethan Sherrod-Watkins - Child of Asia Wimbush-Sherrod

From Manufacturing Operations in Amana, Iowa:

• - Shreeya Shetty - Child of Shekhar Shetty

From Manufacturing Operations in Cleveland, Tennessee:

• - Masyn Gladson - Child of Jamie Gladson
• - Ian Morgain - Child of Patience Morgain

From Manufacturing Operations in Clyde, Ohio:

• - Matthew Kreh - Child of Michael Kreh
• - Taliyah Farris - Child of Talib Garrett

From Manufacturing Operations in Findlay, Ohio:

• - Neeti Barot - Child of Trushna Brahmbhatt

From Manufacturing Operations in Greenville, Ohio:

• - Gavin Stachler - Child of Shawna Stachler

From Manufacturing Operations in Marion, Ohio:

• - Miley Corbin - Child of Carla Bollinger
• - Patience Delaney - Child of Aleyna Brodman

From Manufacturing Operations in Ottawa, Ohio:

• - Madeline Liebrecht - Child of Greg Liebrecht

From Manufacturing Operations in Tulsa, Oklahoma:

• - Lilia Benoit - Child of Jean-Francois Benoit

From Other U.S. Locations:

• - Sara Barragan Ferrer - Child of Adriana Ferrer (Florida)
• - Cooper Wey - Child of Bill Wey (North Carolina)

Scholarship Impact

Since its inception, the Sons and Daughters Scholarship Program has awarded over 2,600 scholarships, amassing more than $18 million in educational support. Presently, 86 scholarship recipients are actively pursuing higher education across various colleges, universities, and vocational schools in the United States. Full-time employees of Whirlpool Corporation at the director level and below can qualify their children for these scholarships, with support structures set in place for both four-year and two-year degrees.

Students aiming for a four-year degree can receive $30,000 distributed over four years, while those enrolled in a two-year vocational program can access $15,000 over two years. To sustain the scholarship, students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8, ensuring that they have the academic foundation necessary to succeed.

The Whirlpool Foundation's Mission

Since its founding in 1952, the Whirlpool Foundation has sought to create a significant positive impact in communities where Whirlpool families reside. Through its dual focus on _“House + Home”_, the foundation works to enable comfortable and nurturing living environments while fostering resilient and sustainable neighborhoods through education and community development.

As this year's selected scholars take their next steps into the future, the Whirlpool Foundation continues to affirm its commitment to education as a catalyst for change, development, and community advancement.