Fifteen scholarships awarded to mortuary science students
HOUSTON (June 4, 2012) – Service Corporation International (SCI), North America’s leading provider of funeral, cremation and cemetery services, has awarded $3,000 scholarships to 15 deserving mortuary science students throughout the United States, most of whom do not currently work for Service Corporation.
“The primary goal of the SCI Scholarship Program is to increase the self-confidence, cultivate the competence and strengthen the character of deserving funeral service students by supporting them in furthering their educational, professional and career readiness skills,” said Steve Tidwell, vice president of Operations. “This program is one of the many ways we continue to demonstrate our commitment to the profession and hope to raise the awareness of students who are looking for professional development and mentoring.”
This year, the field of 93 applicants was narrowed to 30 finalists, who were invited to travel to Houston in April 2012 to meet with a host of SCI associates from across the country and share experiences with other finalists who are also pursuing a rewarding career in funeral service. The finalists had an opportunity to meet and interview with the selection committee, attend social events and were provided a tour of the National Museum of Funeral History.
Following the event, one student shared, “Not only did I leave with new found friends and business contacts, but most importantly, I left with a sense of pride in my ability to get to this point. It helped remind me that yes, I am special and worthy of opportunities. Being chosen as a finalist reassured me that I was on the right path in my career.”
Details regarding the 2013 SCI Scholarship Program will be released in the fall of this year, and students can learn more about the scholarship offering by going to www.scischolarships.com.
The 2012 scholarship recipients include Cindy Blalock of John A. Gupton College; Richard Bradshaw and Adrin Keitt of Piedmont Technical College; Brian Budd of American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service; Bery Crispin-Aguilar* and Velanie Turner of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service; Carlos Davenport and Melissa Estrada of San Antonio College; Randy Gagnon of Mercer County Community College; Christopher Keyes, Anthony Manzo, and Elizabeth McMahan of Wayne State University; Adam Knebler of Dallas Institute of Funeral Service; Brianna Vujovich of University of Minnesota; and Michelle Walls of Community College of Baltimore City.
*Bery Crispin-Aguilar of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service was awarded the Brenda Reneè Horn Scholarship, a special distinction bestowed upon a student who proves to be competitive and ambitious and demonstrates a strong work ethic.
Service Corporation International is North America’s leading provider of death care services and products. SCI has more than 20,000 dedicated employees who provide the finest funeral, cremation and cemetery services to hundreds of thousands of families each year. Operating from a network of more than 1,800 funeral homes and cemeteries, the people of SCI assist families with compassion and guidance at difficult times, helping them celebrate the significance of lives that have been lived and preserving memories that transcend generations with dignity and honor. For more information, please visit www.sci-corp.com.
