Kirtland Community College student awarded with prestigious scholarship
Cole Marsh, a student at Kirtland Community College, has been awarded with the Harden Scholarship, which provides him with a full ride to Northern Michigan University.
One of Kirtland Community College's student athletes, a Grayling native, Cole Marsh, has been awarded with the greatly sought after Harden Scholarship to fund his way to Northern Michigan University. The Harden Scholarship is a full ride scholarship, and is one of the greatest honors available to incoming students to Northern Michigan University. Marsh was awarded this scholarship due to his many achievements in athletics and academics. He will now be able to attain his bachelor’s degree free from the financial burdens of higher education.
Kirtland Community College is the site of Marsh’s academic and athletic accomplishments. There he majored in three associate degrees, Arts and Science, Accounting, and Business Administration. Throughout his studies, Marsh has maintained a spotless 4.0 grade point average, which has placed him on the President’s Honor Roll at every opportunity.
In an article posted on Kirtland’s website, Marsh spoke highly about his time at the school, saying, “Kirtland has helped me accomplish not only my academic goals but also my athletic goals. I could not have done this without the help from the staff at Kirtland and all of my coaches.”
In addition to his academic pursuits, Marsh found the time and energy for an impressive athletic career, where he competed in golf, bowling, and cross-country. His efforts on the cross-country team led to a Northern Conference Championship win. On his own, he has received Academic All Conference Honors as well as being named a First Team National Junior college Athletic Association Academic All American.
Don Haskin, who serves as Kirtland Community College’s Head Cross Country Coach, spoke highly of Marsh, saying, “Cole has been a very solid runner on the Firebird Cross-Country team the past two years. He has been in our scoring 5 at every meet throughout his career. Cole was especially strong this season and without him, we would have not been able to win our Home Invitational this Fall or our Northern Conference Championship-the school’s first ever Conference Title. Cole’s positive attitude and leadership skills will be missed as he moves on to Northern Michigan University.”
Marsh went on to talk about what the Harden Scholarship represents to him, saying, “Being awarded a full ride shows me that all of my hard work for 13 years of school has paid off. All the studying and thousands of hours of work both academically and athletically have shown it’s worth. I can graduate with my bachelor’s degree with no debt.”
Marsh also views the scholarship as a personal victory over his own doubt and the adversity he has faced. He said, ‘it shows that people who did not believe in me were wrong. I can sleep tonight knowing that winning and being the champion is the only way to live.”
Of the awards given out by Northern Michigan University, the Harden Scholarship is one of the most prestigious. The full ride includes full time enrollment tuition, room and board, most of the required fees, as well as other benefits. Those awarded with the scholarship are also automatically admitted to the University’s Honors Program, which allows them access to more academic opportunities.
Of the 16 students who earned the scholarship this year, 15 were first time freshmen, with Marsh being the only transfer student. He will become a member of a top group of students who have been lauded for their potential, determination, achievements, and leadership.
Christine Bingle, who serves as a Communications and Speech Instructor at Kirtland Community College, also spoke highly of Marsh, saying, “as my student, Cole was creative, dedicated, and hardworking. He has taken advantage of every opportunity Kirtland has offered and represents us well not just as a student, but as a multi-sport athlete and student leader. I’m not surprised he received the full ride from NMU; he’s the kind of student who sets a goal and dedicates everything he can to achieve it. I’m proud of Cole for all of his hard work and dedication, and I’m excited to see what his future holds!”
Beyond athletics and the classroom, Marsh has also been very involved in both the campus and surrounding communities. He has acted as a spokesman for the Kirtland Foundation on the local radio station as well as at events such as Grayling Rotary Club meetings, and he has served on the Kirtland Event Center Committee, as well.
Marsh is a participant in Greek Life as a member of Phi Theta Kappa, which is an international honor society specifically for two-year colleges. While at Kirtland, Marsh also earned himself a number of scholarships, such as the Grayling Regional Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, the Blarney Stone Broadcasting Scholarship, and several endowed scholarships like the Paul Harris-Grayling Rotary and the Command Sergeant Major Tike & Sally Golnic Scholarships.
Kirtland Foundation Assistant Director Alice Furstenau reflected on her relationship with Marsh, saying, “I first met Cole during his first semester at Kirtland when he reached out with a question about a scholarship application. His initiative left a strong first impression, and over time I came to know him as a dedicated, hardworking, and fun-loving individual. Balancing academics with playing three sports, Cole consistently excels, demonstrating strong time management and determination. His proactive approach, whether collaborating with instructors or engaging the community, ensures nothing is overlooked. Cole’s personable nature and goal-oriented mindset make him a remarkable young man poised for success.”
Without the worry of higher education’s financial burden, Marsh is set to move forward with his passions for leadership, academics, and athletics.
Marsh also spoke highly of his time at community college. He said, “Kirtland and everyone there gave me the foundation to succeed. Now, NMU will allow me to continue striving for excellence.”
He also made sure to thank all of those who helped him on his way to achieving this scholarship: “I couldn’t have done this without the help from the staff at Kirtland, my coaches, and my family, particularly my father who always gave up his time for my success.”
Once finished at Northern Michigan University, Marsh plans to pursue a Master’s in Business Administration. From there he plans to take over the management of the fertilizer business his family owns.
More information about Kirtland Community College can be found at the school’s website.