IRON MOUNTAIN — The Bay College Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Ben M. Determan Memorial Scholarship, honoring the life and legacy of Benjamin “Ben” Mathias Determan, a long-time Dickinson County resident and passionate lifelong learner. The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year, with plans for continued support in future years.

The scholarship will be awarded to a Bay College student who meets the following criteria: residency in Dickinson County, enrollment either part-time or full-time, status as an adult learner (age 26 or older), and a declared interest in a healthcare-related program. The healthcare focus reflects the excellent and compassionate care Ben received later in life, a factor his family noted was deeply meaningful.

Born in Clinton, Iowa, in 1930, Ben Determan’s journey through life was marked by perseverance, global career success, and an enduring commitment to community. A U.S. Army veteran and University of Iowa graduate, thanks to the GI Bill, Ben built a career in the water pump industry, eventually serving as president of The Water Systems Council and vice president of the National Groundwater Association. His work took him across North America and to Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

After retiring in 1997, Determan relocated to the Upper Peninsula. He was a leader in Bay College’s Lifelong Learning program, a board member of the Dickinson County Conservation District and a familiar face at local concerts and events.