Transforming Funeral Service Education-2017 Gala
September 2017 – Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science will honor alumnus Ken Cahall, CFSP, CCO at the beginning of his year as President, National Funeral Directors Association during the November 18, 2017 CCMS GALA in downtown Cincinnati.
Cahall, a distinguished 1974 CCMS alumnus and licensed funeral service practitioner, has been an active leader in funeral service, church, and community for over three decades, including Past President of OFDA. On November 1st, Cahall will be installed as the President of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) during the annual convention in Boston.
In addition to honoring Cahall, CCMS, the oldest mortuary college in the nation, will unveil its plans for Transforming Funeral Service Education by showcasing the college’s shift to secure and cement its position as the undisputed leader and premiere death care educational institution.
Jack E. Lechner, Jr. CCMS President & CEO, said “Ken is an exemplar death care professional”. “His community, church, and professional service sets a benchmark for every graduate from CCMS to strive to achieve”. Cahall is the 11 th President of NFDA to hail from the State of Ohio. In addition to honoring Ken, CCMS will pay tribute to the three living past Presidents of NFDA from Ohio, all CCMS alumnus. “We are proud of our students and the history of demonstrated leadership they have written within the death care profession” said Lechner.
The GALA will be held at Paul Brown (Bengals) Stadium’s East Lounge, the most sought after large venue in the city. It has a spectacular view through the 62’ window overlooking the illuminated skyline of the Queen City at night on the banks of the Ohio River. The evening promises to be the death care profession’s social event of the year. Death care professionals from across the country will join in honoring Cahall and gather for an evening of great food, socializing, entertainment, fund raising, silent auction, and of course renewing friendships with classmates, friends, and supporters of CCMS.
“The GALA will invigorate the proud CCMS alumni base, letting everyone know that CCMS is back, better than ever, and on a trajectory to transform death care education in the United States” said Lechner. “During the GALA, we’ll layout our plans for construction and installation of a state of the art educational cremation center on campus and other planned innovations”. Information on how to support or make reservations will be available soon on the CCMS.edu website.