Calumet native Barb (Herveat) Horton has always dreamed of helping children, especially children who can't imagine a college education in their future.
She made her dream a reality by creating Lighthouse Learners, an active program for children in the Public Schools of Calumet, Laurium, and Keweenaw. Starting in middle school, the program will give children role models, mentors, and after-school and summer activities to motivate them to pursue a higher education. These activities include spiritual and character development and service projects. Full scholarships to Michigan Tech eliminate the financial hurdle standing between Lighthouse Learners and college.
To ensure the program's longevity, Barb established a Michigan Tech endowment and provided for its base funding through her trust. Wanting to see Lighthouse Learners in action, she and her husband, Paul, an electrical engineering graduate of Michigan Tech, are funding the program annually and invite others to help support its growth and success.
"There are a lot of children who have the ability to go to college but don't have the opportunity," she says. "I want to give these kids the vision that they can do it."
Horton lived out such a vision herself. She worked her way through college and enjoyed a successful career at D&N Savings Bank, culminating as senior vice president for operations. After leaving the bank, she started a consulting firm and was then hired by one of her client companies, which was later purchased by biomedical engineering giant Medtronic.
After retiring, she created the Lighthouse Learners™ Scholarship Program with help from Paul and the University's development team.
"You can't help but be impressed with what Michigan Tech is doing," she says. "I chose Tech because of its programs and long history of graduates who do great things."
Thanks to the Hortons' endowment, far into the future there will be more Tech graduates doing great things they never imagined.