Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation

306 South University Avenue Mount Pleasant, MI, 48858 United States

(989) 773-7322

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Isabella County, now and for generations to come, by attracting and holding permanent endowed funds from a wide range of donors, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

Blystone & Bailey CPAs Scholarship Fund

Blystone & Bailey is a mid-Michigan CPA firm with offices in Mt. Pleasant, Midland, and Canadian Lakes. The firm’s founders, Glen D. Blystone and Thomas J. Bailey, have worked in public accounting for more than 40 years. They have worked together continuously since 1976, beginning as employees of a regional CPA firm in Bay City, then practicing under their own names as sole practitioners, and subsequently organizing Blystone and Bailey CPAs, PC in 1986. The firm now also includes the following partners and principals: Jill Bourland, Paul Truman, Jonathon Crowley, Bart Blystone, Leah Rau, and Nathan Haines.

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Glen Blystone was involved in the initial formation of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation and sat on the finance committee. Jill Bourland has been on the finance committee the finance committee. And Leah Rau is an active member of the Women’s Initiative Committee.

Blystone & Bailey has been a promoter of co-op programs facilitated through the local high schools, and the internship programs through the local colleges, in an attempt to foster continued education in the field of accounting. They want to assure quality accounting now and in the future. In 2014, Blystone and Bailey established an endowed scholarship fund to provide assistance to students that are pursuing a degree in accounting.

Blystone & Bailey CPAs Scholarship Criteria:

  • Student shall be a graduating senior, or shall have previously graduated from a mid-Michigan high school (Isabella County, Mecosta County, or Midland County);

  • Student shall demonstrate academic ability with a minimum 3.0 grade point average;

  • Student shall be enrolled at an accredited college, university or trade school;

  • Student shall intend to pursue a career in accounting; and

  • Student shall not be a previous recipient.

Preferences:

In selecting the most qualified applicant to receive the scholarship, reviewers should give preference to the following, listed in priority order:

  • Student has a strong work ethic, as described in the applicant’s written essay.

  • Student has taken and demonstrated aptitude in an accounting class(es), as evidenced in the applicant’s school transcript.

  • Student’s degree of involvement in and service to his/her community.

  • Leadership shown during his/her involvement in and service to his/her community.