Marcus Todd, Angie Swift, Casey Vanmeter, and Jeromiah Swift

 Alexis Swift Top Dog Scholarship Fund announces inaugural recipients

The inaugural recipients of the Alexis Swift Top Dog Scholarship were announced on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, at the 2nd Annual Alexis Swift Top Dog Invitational Golf Tournament.  The first recipients are Casey Vanmeter and Marcus Todd.

Casey Vanmeter of Bowling Green, Ky., is a junior pursuing a degree in Nursing. She works at The Medical Center and is a former high school swimmer. Marcus Todd from Corbin, Ky., is a senior pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering and is a Central Engineer Intern at General Motors Bowling Green Assembly. Each student was awarded a $1,000 scholarship toward his or her education at Western Kentucky University.  

The Alexis Swift Top Dog Scholarship Fund was established at the College Heights Foundation at WKU in memory of Alexis Nicole Swift who passed away before her 19th birthday in August 2016.  Alexis, the daughter of Jeromiah and Angie Swift, was an active student and athlete throughout her time in the Warren County Public School district, earning various records and awards for her swimming career. In seventh grade, Alexis was diagnosed with a seizure disorder and suffered two back surgeries caused by an accident while swimming. Despite these complications, Alexis was determined to not let this hold her back in life. She graduated from Greenwood High School in 2016 and then earned a phlebotomy certification from Bowling Green Medical Institute of Kentucky before beginning classes at Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College.

To honor her memory, her parents established the Alexis Swift Top Dog Scholarship Fund which provides two scholarships each year. The first scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a degree in Nursing who works at either The Medical Center or Tristar Greenview Regional Hospital and who participated in swimming in high school, mirroring Alexis’ passions and career aspirations. The second scholarship is presented to a current employee or dependent of a current employee at General Motors Bowling Green Assembly where Jeromiah Swift currently works. This scholarship was established to recognize the support Jeromiah and Angie Swift received during the difficult time following their daughter's passing.

The family plans to continue to support the scholarship fund annually through the Alexis Swift Top Dog Invitational.

"We are so appreciative of all the businesses, friends and family who contributed to make our event a success," said Jeromiah Swift. "We know Lexi is truly smiling looking down on us."

Dr. Donald Smith, President of the College Heights Foundation shared, “Each of the scholarship funds we administer at CHF tell a special story, and we are honored to administer this fund in Alexis’ name to allow her memory to live on as students receive this scholarship each year in perpetuity.”

For more information, contact Jessica Carver at (270) 745-2342.

Posted on: Sept. 25, 2018

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