Malcolm’s work building power plants around the world gave Lucille the opportunity to travel extensively. During her travels she never forgot about Columbia or her students eventually returning to Columbia where she returned to teaching elementary school and  would  reside until their deaths.  Lucille and Malcom never had children of their own. Her  students were her children.   

From a very early age Lucille had a passion for the history of Columbia and was credited for writing the first history of Columbia.  A 16-page story booklet for her students with sketched drawings by Carol Van Arsdale.  Each Columbia elementary student received a copy of this book throughout the years. In addition, every year Lucille would provide tours to her students of the early settlers buried in Columbia’s graveyard and Bronson House.  This annual tour continues today for our 4th grade students at Copopa and members of the Historical Society. 

 Malcolm and Lucille were instrumental in the construction of the “L” addition to the north wing of the Bronson House. Lucille had a vision for Columbia Township. She was known to be bold, stubborn, determined, and passionate in her convictions.  Some would say she was an early pioneer of the Women’s Movement of the 70’s ahead of her time. 

Lucille and Malcolm sold a piece of land that was used for the Boy Scouts annual campground and donated the $25,000 proceeds to the then Kiwanis Club.  In 2006 when the Kiwanis disbanded their desire was to simply award two $1000 scholarships to Columbia graduates until the proceeds ran out.  This was the birth of the Columbia Community Foundation to be an organization that would be more than a scholarship provider.  To award grants and donations for the betterment of our Township and surrounding communities. This is the history of the Lucille McClellan Memorial Scholarship.