A retired Middleton school superintendent has created a scholarship foundation honoring his late wife, offering financial support to Idaho high school seniors pursuing higher education within the state.
Rich Bauscher, 73, who previously served as superintendent at both Middleton and Kimberly school districts before retiring in 2016, established the LiNae Bauscher Foundation following his wife’s death from ALS in 2024. Working alongside his three children—Mistie, 44, Matthew, 41, and Megan, 35—the family has already awarded 11 scholarships totaling over $40,000 in the foundation’s first year.
Foundation Born from Family Tragedy
LiNae Bauscher received her ALS diagnosis in July 2023 after experiencing months of unexplained throat pain. Doctors gave her approximately 15 months to live at the time of diagnosis. Before her illness, she regularly attended her grandchildren’s sporting events and school activities throughout the Treasure Valley.
According to Rich Bauscher, the family chose to focus the scholarship on education because of LiNae’s Idaho roots and commitment to learning. Matthew Bauscher, who has experience in finance and real estate, handled the legal paperwork to register the foundation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization one year after his mother’s passing.
Keeping Idaho Students in Idaho
The foundation specifically targets Idaho high school seniors planning to attend colleges and universities within state borders. Matthew Bauscher said the goal extends beyond immediate financial assistance—the family hopes scholarship recipients will develop skills allowing them to build careers in Idaho rather than relocating due to economic pressures.
In just under seven months, the foundation collected more than $40,000 from 25 donors. Applications opened April 1 for current and prospective Idaho college students, drawing nearly 100 submissions by month’s end.
Selection Process Tests Knowledge and Character
The Bauscher family interviewed 11 finalists to determine scholarship amounts. While applications required standard information including GPA, extracurricular involvement, and college selection, the family also tested applicants’ research into ALS and LiNae Bauscher’s life.
One interview question asked candidates to demonstrate how they embody values from LiNae’s favorite song—Tim McGraw’s Grammy-winning hit “Humble and Kind.” Rich Bauscher said applicants needed to show how they parallel the principles his wife lived by throughout her life.
Rocky Mountain High Senior Receives Top Award
Charli Russell, an 18-year-old student body president and volleyball team captain at Rocky Mountain High School in Meridian, earned the foundation’s largest award. The 4.0 student received a $10,000 scholarship to Boise State University, presented as a surprise at her school Wednesday. The amount should cover her first two years of college expenses.
Rich Bauscher praised Russell’s interview performance, noting her outgoing personality and thorough preparation stood out among all candidates.
What Comes Next
The Bauscher family plans to offer scholarships annually to Idaho high school seniors. Rich Bauscher views the competitive application and interview process as valuable preparation for students, encouraging applicants to invest substantial time researching the foundation and its mission. For information about future scholarship cycles, Idaho students can search for the LiNae Bauscher Foundation online.