The MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Fund at CHI Memorial Foundation has awarded 29 college scholarships totaling $93,000 to Chattanooga area students for the 2025-26 academic year.
The fund is a college scholarship program for children who have either lost a parent to breast cancer, have a parent who is a breast cancer survivor, or have a parent who is currently in treatment. The organization was founded as an independent nonprofit in 2002 by MaryEllen Locher, a long-time news anchor and health reporter for WTVC in Chattanooga.
Formerly known as the MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Foundation, it joined with CHI Memorial Foundation in January 2021.
MaryEllen started the foundation during her own battle with breast cancer because she was concerned about her son’s future education. She did not want other parents to share that concern while they were struggling with this disease. MaryEllen passed away in 2005 after her third bout with cancer.
Over the past 23 years, the fund has awarded nearly 660 scholarships totaling more than $1.3 million. The awards are designed to ease the emotional and financial burdens faced by families dealing with breast cancer.
“For more than two decades, the MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Fund has been committed to easing the financial and emotional burdens faced by families impacted by breast cancer,” shared Jennifer Nicely, CHI Memorial Foundation president. “These scholarships represent more than just financial aid; they represent hope, opportunity, and a continued commitment to MaryEllen's original mission. We are thrilled to support these students and honored to play a part in their journey."
The MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Fund recipients for the 2025-26 academic year are:
Abigail Allen, Walker Valley High School graduate, attending UTC
Lily Andrews, Signal Mountain High School graduate, attending UTK
Lauren Bailey, attending UTC
Savannah Blanks, attending Dalton State College
Isabel Brittingham, Ridgeland High School graduate, attending Kennesaw State University
Louise Brock, Girls Preparatory School graduate, attending Mississippi State University
Isley Clark, CSLA graduate, attending UTK
Natalee Combs, Meigs County High School graduate, attending UTK, Just One More Scholarship
Shanel Daves, attending UTC
Brenda Davis, McMinn County High School graduate, attending Cumberland University
Bailey Fowler, Ridgeland High School graduate, attending University of West Georgia, Shields Family Scholarship
Emma Fowler, Ridgeland High School graduate, attending Chattanooga State
Georgia Gibson, Bradley Central High School graduate, attending Lee University
Madison Gross, attending Bryan College
Olivia Hamilton, Chattanooga Christian School graduate, attending the University of Georgia, Angels Among Us Scholarship
Gracie Hibbs, CCA graduate, attending UTK, Gorski Family Scholarship
Margo Kapic, attending Covenant College
Jelleny Mallozzi, Coahulla Creek High School graduate, attending UT Southern, Just One More Scholarship
Elizabeth Malone, attending Coastal Carolina University
Abigail Markey, Chattanooga Christian School graduate, attending Carson-Newman University
Madison Markey, attending Lee University, Wanda Weller scholarship
Mark Nashi, attending Columbia University, Guardian Angel scholarship
Samantha Paik, Hixson High School graduate, attending UT Martin
Delea Patridge, Red Bank High School graduate, attending Austin Peay University, Just One More Scholarship
Ana Grace Pritchett, attending UTK
Campbell Ruehling, Rhea County High School graduate, attending Bryan College
Cali Sandhoff, Boyd Buchanan graduate, attending Covenant College
Emily Thomson, Soddy-Daisy High graduate, attending ETSU
William Woodall, Ridgeland High School graduate, attending Georgia Southern University, Tom and Kaky Bible Scholarship