2024 Scholarship Recipients
K & M Machine-Fabricating, Inc. in Cassopolis is proud to announce its Earl G. Marhanka Scholarship winners for the fall of 2024. This scholarship program was established in 2001 in recognition of K & M’s 50th anniversary and in honor of the entrepreneurial spirit of its founder, Mr. Earl G. Marhanka. To date, over $286,000 has been awarded to over 68 students of K & M employees. This year’s scholarship recipient will receive $2,000. The recipients are:
Conner DeGraaf – Conner was a graduate of Countryside Academy in June 2022, as their Valedictorian. During high school Conner was part of National Honor Society, Andrews University Math and Science Center and played soccer. Most recently he has been attending Lake Michigan College but will began at Grand Valley St University for the fall semester where he plans to study electrical engineering. Conner is the son of Charles DeGraaf.
Owen McLoughlin – Owen is a graduate of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic High School and will be attending Michigan State University. Once at Michigan State Owen plans to study business. In high school Owen participated in many activities including basketball, baseball, Interact Club and National Honor Society. He was Captain of the district and regional title team for basketball as well as being named BCAM outstanding student athlete. Owen is the son of Kevin McLoughlin.
Gavin Turk – Gavin is a graduate of Paw Paw High School and will be attending Minot State University in North Dakota. At Minot Gavin plans to study Psychology and will continue his wrestling career. In high school Gavin also played football and earned all-academic for wrestling and football. He was a team captain for wrestling as well as a district and regional champion and placed 5th at State his senior year. Gavin is the son of Andy Turk.
Also, we had three individuals renew their $2,000 scholarship for the fall 2024 school year, they are: Channing Green, Darby McLoughlin and Logan Pflug.
2023 Scholarship Recipients
K & M Machine-Fabricating, Inc. in Cassopolis is proud to announce its Earl G. Marhanka Scholarship winners for the fall of 2023. This scholarship program was established in 2001 in recognition of K & M’s 50th anniversary and in honor of the entrepreneurial spirit of its founder, Mr. Earl G. Marhanka. To date, over $276,000 has been awarded to 66 students of K & M employees. This year’s scholarship recipient will receive $2,000. The recipient is:
Logan Pflug – Logan is a graduate of Ross Beatty Cassopolis High School and will be attending Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI. Once at Spring Arbor Logan plans to study Nursing while playing on the Golf Team. Logan hopes to travel around the United States as a nurse after school. Logan is the son of Terry Pflug, CNC Machinist.
Also, we had three individuals renew their $2,000 scholarship for the fall 2023 school year, they are: Channing Green, Darby McLoughlin and Austin Verstreater.
2022 Scholarship Recipients
K & M Machine-Fabricating, Inc. is proud to announce their Earl G. Marhanka Scholarship winners for the fall of 2022. This scholarship program was established in 2001 in recognition of K & M’s 50th anniversary and in honor of the entrepreneurial spirit of its founder, Mr. Earl G. Marhanka. This scholarship is awarded to sons or daughters of K & M employees and is renewable for three additional years. To date, over $260,000 has been awarded to 65 students of K & M employees. This year’s scholarship recipients will receive $2,000. Congratulations to Channing, Darby and Emma.
Channing Green – Channing is a graduate of Edwardsburg High School and will be attending Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Once at Case Western Channing plans to major in Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism with her sights set on going to Medical School. Channing is the daughter of William Green, Manufacturing Engineer.
Darby McLoughlin – Darby is a graduate of Angelicum Academy and will be attending Butler University in Indianapolis, IN. She will be going into Butler’s exploratory studies program, to help her decide her future endeavors. Darby is the daughter of Derek McLoughlin, President.
Emma Penning – Emma is a graduate of Paw Paw High School and will be attending Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Emma plans to get her associates degree in Dental Hygiene and in the future work as a Pediatric Dental Hygienist. Emma is the daughter of Nathan Penning, Machine Shop Supervisor.
Also, we had four individuals renew their $2,000 scholarship for the fall 2022 school year, they are: Caroline McLoughlin, Caitlin Stanner, Anna Stevens and Austin Verstreater. Congratulations to all. Best of luck this coming school year.
2021 Scholarship Recipients
K & M Machine-Fabricating, Inc. is proud to announce their Earl G. Marhanka Scholarship winners for the fall of 2021. This scholarship program was established in 2001 in recognition of K & M’s 50th anniversary and in honor of the entrepreneurial spirit of its founder, Mr. Earl G. Marhanka. This scholarship is awarded to sons or daughters of K & M employees and is renewable for three additional years. To date, over $260,000 has been awarded to over 60 students of K & M employees. This year’s scholarship recipient will receive $2,000. Congratulations to Austin Verstreater.
Austin Verstreater- Austin is a graduate of Waverly High School in Lansing and will be attending Kent State University. Once at Kent State Austin plans to major in Theatre Studies. During high school Austin was involved in Choir, Student Government and Theatre as an actor, director and stage crew. Austin is the son of Scott Verstreater, Program Manager.
Also, we had four individuals renew their $2,000 scholarship for the fall 2021 school year, they are: Maggie Baert, Caroline McLoughlin, Caitlin Stanner and Anna Stevens. Congratulations to all. Best of luck this coming school year.
Changing of the Guard
Michael McLoughlin, President and Chairman of K&M Machine-Fabricating, Inc., has announced the appointment of Derek McLoughlin, as President of K&M effective June 1, 2020. “It is my privilege to name Derek as President of the company his grandfather, Earl G. Marhanka, founded in 1951. Not many companies get to the third generation. Derek has been part of K&M for 24 years and his experience as the head of operations makes him well equipped to lead K&M forward,” said the elder McLoughlin. Derek remarked, “We find ourselves in an unprecedented time for companies both large and small. But, as we approach 70 years in business, this isn’t the first rough patch we’ve seen. K&M is blessed with an exceptional workforce committed to safety and quality above all else. We have customers that are the leaders in their field. That combination is hard to beat. I look forward to a challenging and exciting future for K&M.” The Cassopolis company serves the defense industry as well as the mining equipment, construction equipment, power generation, and industrial machinery industries.
2020 Scholarship Recipients
K & M Machine-Fabricating, Inc. in Cassopolis is proud to announce their Earl G. Marhanka Scholarship winners for the fall of 2020. This scholarship program was established in 2001 in recognition of K & M’s 50th anniversary and in honor of the entrepreneurial spirit of its founder, Mr. Earl G. Marhanka. To date, over $235,000 has been awarded to over 55 students of K & M employees. This year’s scholarship winners will receive $2,000. They are:
Cliff Holmes – Cliff is a graduate of Decatur High School and will be attending Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Once at KVCC Cliff plans to major in Automotive Diesel. During high school Cliff obtained many ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certifications through Van Buren Tech Center while also working at Sunray Restorations in Dowagiac. Cliff is the son of David Holmes, CNC Machinist.
Caitlin Stanner – Caitlin is a graduate of Brandywine High School and will be attending Lake Michigan College where she plans to focus on photography. During high school Caitlin was part of a tennis doubles team that went to state every year finishing in 5th place her junior year. Caitlin is the daughter of Rick Antisdel, CNC Machinist.
Anna Stevens – Anna is a graduate of Decatur High School and will be attending Southwestern Michigan College. Once at SMC Anna plans to major in Heath Services with one day becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner. Anna was involved in the school theater and also received her medical assistant certification while in high school. Anna is the daughter of Pam Stevens and Tom Stevens, CNC Machinists.
In addition to the 2 new recipients, 6 scholarship winners from previous years are eligible to renew their $2,000 scholarships. They are:
- Maggie Baert (Butler University, by way of Penn High School) – daughter of Patrick Baert
- Zoe Laubach (Bethel College, by way of Edwardsburg High School) – daughter of William Green
- Caroline McLoughlin (Loyola University Chicago, by way of Lake Michigan Catholic) – daughter of Derek McLoughlin
- Jackson McLoughlin (Marquette University, by way of Lake Michigan Catholic High School) – son of Derek McLoughlin
- Skyler McKee (Olivet College by way of Cassopolis High School) – son of Edward McKee
- Haily Shibinski (Southwestern Michigan College, by way of Brandywine High School) – daughter of Dave Shibinski.