Academic achievement and opportunity took center stage this weekend as dozens of Louisville-area students were recognized for an extraordinary milestone. 

The Lincoln Foundation hosted the 31st Annual Whitney M. Young Scholars Senior Scholarship Banquet on Saturday, May 16th at Bellarmine University’s Frazier Hall. 

The event honored 24 graduating high school seniors who completed a rigorous five-year college-preparatory program—and together, they earned an impressive $11,852,057 in scholarships and awards. 

Among those honors, 11 students secured scholarship packages exceeding $500,000, with three scholars earning more than $1 million each — a testament to their academic dedication and perseverance. 

The evening brought together education leaders, community supporters, and elected officials. U.S. Congressman Morgan McGarvey attended and presented a congressional proclamation recognizing both the scholars and the program’s long-standing impact on expanding college access. 

A highlight of the banquet was the live unveiling of $106,000 in additional scholarships, awarded as surprises to the scholars during the ceremony. That included the prestigious Dr. Samuel Robinson Award of Excellence, a $40,000 scholarship package supporting tuition, technology, and study-abroad opportunities. 

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Aaron Thompson, President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, who emphasized that earning a college degree extends beyond career preparation—helping foster lifelong learning, personal growth, and stronger communities across Kentucky. 

Organizers said the annual banquet served as more than a celebration—it demonstrated the powerful results of sustained investment in students and their futures. 

The Whitney M. Young Scholars Program continues to serve as a powerful model for expanding college access and helping students succeed long after high school.