This scholarship was created in 2011 to benefit students who are members or descendants of a member of the Christopher Columbus Italian-American Society. The Society was formed on March 16, 1930 by a group of men living in the “Little Italy” neighborhood of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. who were looking for a place for their Society to meet. On June 16, 1930, the Society obtained a charter from the State of Michigan, and began to sponsor dinners and dances to benefit the neighborhood. By 1938, the Society had 138 members, and built their own Christopher Columbus Hall for meetings and special events that continue to this day. Successful candidates must be of sophomore status with a minimum 2.5 GPA.