YMCA awards Dick Floyd Memorial Scholarships

In its second year of existence, four employees of the Parkview Huntington Family YMCA were awarded Dick Floyd Memorial Scholarships, named in honor of Richard (Dick) L. Floyd, formerly of Huntington.

As the 2024-25 school year nears completion, following are more details about Richard Floyd’s legacy and this school year’s scholarship recipients.

Malarie Pinwar hails from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, and is a 2022 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. Malarie has worked in several areas of the Y including wellness coach, cycle instructor, day camp counselor and personal trainer. She initially came to Huntington to attend Huntington University but recently transferred to Taylor University to continue work toward her degree in exercise science. After Malarie graduates in May 2026, she plans to continue with schooling to obtain a Doctorate of Physical Therapy and pursue her career goal of working as a physical therapist.

Kirsten Walker is a Huntington resident who graduated from Huntington North High School in 2021. Kirsten has been a swim instructor at the Y since January 2020. She is attending Creations Beauty College to obtain her cosmetology license. Kirsten has a career goal to open and operate a hair salon.

Luke Dittman is from Commerce, Michigan, and a 2021 graduate of Lakeland High School. Luke came to Huntington to attend Huntington University where he majored in business management and entrepreneurship. Luke graduated in April of 2025 with his bachelor’s degree. He is now working toward his career goal of becoming a Michigan State Trooper. While working at the Y since March 2023, Luke has served as a wellness coach and personal trainer.

Cooper Kowalski is a Huntington resident and was a 2024 Huntington North High School graduate. Cooper has been employed as a lifeguard at the Y since 2021. He just completed his freshman year at Wabash College majoring in communications with a minor in business. Cooper’s career goal is medical device sales.

To receive consideration for the scholarship, YMCA employees must work for the Y for at least two years and complete a minimum number of work hours to be eligible to apply. If their work history is less than the minimum, a scholarship award may be proportionate to the number of hours worked. Annually there are opportunities for Parkview Huntington Family YMCA employees to apply for scholarship funds through the Dick Floyd Memorial Scholarship Fund. Additional information and specific details about the scholarship can be found on the Y website here.

Mr. Floyd was a lifetime member of the YMCA, and according to the Y, often bragging that he “learned to swim for 10 cents” at the Y in downtown Huntington. Born in Rockford, Indiana, Floyd moved to Huntington during his childhood. Upon graduation from Huntington High School in 1946, he joined the Merchant Marines U.S. Coast Guard, where he served for two years. This is where he developed a love of being on the water. Upon returning home, he worked on the Erie Railroad before eventually joining his father’s insurance agency, where he settled into his lifetime career.

According to the Y, he enjoyed shooting baskets in the upstairs gym and swimming laps at the downtown Y, but sailing was his passion. He owned four sailboats during his lifetime, learning to sail on Lake Wawasee and frequently navigating the waters of Lake Michigan. Upon retiring from sailing, he donated his sailboat to the Huntington YMCA, and the proceeds from its sale helped to fund the construction of the new Parkview Huntington Family YMCA as it exists today. Upon his passing in January 2021, he bequeathed a significant gift to the YMCA. The proceeds have been invested in several projects including the creation of the Dick Floyd Memorial Scholarship.

Todd Latta, CEO at the YMCA, notes: “Mr. Floyd believed in the YMCA and there is no doubt that the Y had a significant impact on the man that he strived to be during his lifetime. Although I did not personally know him, I do know that he believed in us because he has entrusted us with his life’s work. The Dick Floyd Memorial Scholarship has been created with a gift from Mr. Floyd’s estate as an effort to support our employees’ continuing education and personal development. My goal is to honor him and ensure his legacy lives on by continuing to develop people who believe in our work.”