College is not for the faint of heart. For Jacob Kissling, a biochemistry and Chinese major, college is a pathway to the education and career he’s been pursuing without relent.

Jacob learned about KREMC’s John H. Anglin college scholarship in his Indiana Connection magazine. As a second-year student at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, he saw the scholarship as a good local opportunity to help fund his studies.

Before he was contemplating an in-depth medical education, Jacob was learning from KREMC. He remembers programs the electric cooperative held at his elementary school, where they would teach the students about electricity and get them involved at a young age. Now, Jacob is receiving $1,000 from KREMC for his higher education journey.

“It’s great to have some local community support,” Jacob said, “A couple of years ago, I wouldn’t have known about all the things that they’re doing, and this is a great way to help!” Because of the scholarship process, Jacob feels more involved at KREMC and aware of its presence in his local area.

Jacob attended Warsaw High School, where he took biomedical and Chinese classes before graduating.

“That’s what made me want to pursue them as majors in college,” he explained, “I’ve always liked learning about the human body.”

Growing up, Jacob was involved in the medical field because of his dad’s career, and his teachers in high school encouraged his studies as well. Between his high school teachers, his family, and Kosciusko REMC, Jacob has a foundation of support behind him.

As he begins his second year at DePauw, Jacob is learning how to balance life and his studies, a challenge that comes with the difficulties of higher education. However, this doesn’t stop him from staying involved. He takes honors classes, runs cross country and track at DePauw, and is hoping to study abroad next summer, using his Chinese studies and his deep interest in the culture.

 “There are certainly challenges and it’s a lot harder than I was expecting, but I feel good about the progress I’ve made and what I’ve been able to accomplish so far. I’m really looking forward to continuing,” Jacob said.

After college, he hopes to specialize in either hematology, the study of blood, or endocrinology, the study of hormones. He’s also considering going to medical school after receiving his bachelor's degree.

Kosciusko REMC is a proud supporter of our local higher education students. The John H. Anglin scholarship is designed to provide community encouragement and financial aid to the college students who are members of our electric cooperative. Visit our Youth Programs page to learn more about our scholarships.