Ben M. Determan Memorial Scholarship established at Bay College
Benjamin “Ben” Mathias Determan was an involved community member who was known to often use the phrase “Why wouldn’t I?” as he embarked on new journeys and pursued new experiences.
The Ben M. Determan Memorial Scholarship has been established at Bay College to honor the life and legacy of Benjamin “Ben” Mathias Determan, an Army veteran, University of Iowa graduate, and Upper Peninsula of Michigan transplant following his retirement from the water pump industry. Determan was an involved community member whose legacy of lifelong learning will be remembered through his memorial scholarship.
According to an article on Bay College’s website, Molly Griffin and Ginni Henke, Deteman’s daughters, were quoted as saying of their father, “Our dad believed deeply in education, personal growth, and giving back to the community. We’re proud to honor his legacy by supporting students who are finding their own path - just as he always encouraged us to do.”
The $1,000 Ben M. Determan Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a student for the first time in the 2025-2026 school year. In order to be eligible to receive the scholarship, the student must be an enrolled full or part time adult learner who is 26 years old or older, must be a Dickinson County resident, and have a declared interest in a healthcare-related program, something Determan’s daughters say honors the excellent care their father received in the later years of his life. It is planned that the scholarship will be awarded into the future, as well.
Determan was born in Iowa and attended and graduated from the University of Iowa, thanks to the GI Bill after his service in the Army. During his career, he served as president of The Water Systems Council and vice president of the National Groundwater Association. In 1997, he retired to Dickinson County in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and fully embraced becoming a member of the community. He was a board member of the Dickinson County Conservation District and was a leader in the Bay College Lifelong Learning program.
Through his global travel for work, interest in neighborhood events, and knack for making connections with those around him, Determan will be remembered for his pursuit of lifelong learning.
For more information about Bay College, visit the school’s website.