Funeral Service Foundation Announces 2020 Academic Scholarship Recipients and Issues Call for 2021 Scholarship Applications

Brookfield, Wis. – The Funeral Service Foundation is proud to announce its “Class of 2020” academic scholarship recipients and issue a call for applications for the “Class of 2021.”

Each year, the Foundation awards academic scholarships ranging from $2,500-$5,000 USD to students attending and actively engaged in coursework in funeral service education programs at ABSFE- and Canadian-accredited institutions. Awarded in two cycles and paid directly to institutions, the scholarships offset the costs associated with tuition, fees, books and supplies.

“Supporting the next generation of resilient, adaptable and compassionate leaders is central to our mission of investing in people and programs to strengthen funeral service and lift up grieving communities,” said Foundation Executive Director, Lee Wiensch, CFRE.

Academic Scholarship Class of 2020
The 2020 winners were selected by a review committee made up of funeral service educational and professional leaders. “We’re proud to introduce our academic scholarship Class of 2020. Each recipient demonstrated a passion and commitment to carry forward the profession’s important work and displayed strong character, poise and professionalism,” said Wiensch. The Class of 2020 includes:

Foundation ’45 Scholarships – $5,000

Elizabeth Baty, North Bend, Washington (Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Kirkland, Washington)
Drew Mikel, Edwardsburg, Michigan (Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, Iowa)
Alastair Miller, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Canadian College of Funeral Service, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
Megan Moten, Austin, Texas (San Antonio College, San Antonio)

Foundation ’45 Scholarships – $2,500

Natasha Aych, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada (Canadian College of Funeral Service, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
Dan Baxter, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada (Canadian College of Funeral Service, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
Miles Fogle, West Chicago, Illinois (Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Illinois)
Domonique Johnson, Eastpointe, Michigan (Wayne State University, Detroit)
Marybeth Kretz, Toms River, New Jersey (Mercer County Community College, West Windsor Township, New Jersey)
Kelchis Radziewicz, Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Pittsburgh)
Patrick Rivett, Mt. Morris, Michigan (Wayne State University, Detroit)
Lauren Secor, Wheeling, Illinois (Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Illinois)
Cristina Wagner, Eden Prairie, Minnesota (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis)
Delores Wheat, Chicago (Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Illinois)
Mia Wielenga, Holland, Michigan (Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Illinois)

Memorial Classic Scholarships – $2,500

Kevin Dembinski, Milwaukee (Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Illinois)
Jennifer Hardy, Chelmsford, Massachusetts (Fine Mortuary College, Northwood, Massachusetts)

Steve Lang Scholarships – $2,500

Misty Taylor-Denning, Sanger, Texas (Northeast Texas Community College, Mount Pleasant, Texas)
Cassie Wheeler, Loveland, Ohio (Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, Cincinnati)

Shipley Rose Buckner Memorial Scholarships – $2,500

Therese Allen, Decatur, Illinois (Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Illinois)
Hannah Rice, Belpre, Ohio (Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Pittsburgh)

Joseph E. Hagan Memorial Scholarships – $2,500

Devon Holmes, Moodus, Connecticut (Goodwin College, East Hartford, Connecticut)
Brian Wohlhuter, Minden, Iowa (Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, Iowa)

Dennis Schoepp Memorial Scholarships – $2,500

Donna Dawson, Bridger, Montana (Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, Colorado)

Nicholas Mulvaney, Butte, Utah (Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, Dallas)

“Your generosity has given a sense of peace and security to my final year of mortuary school training, and for that I am eternally grateful,” said Moten, who is slated to complete her Associate of Applied Science – Mortuary Science degree in December. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting education through scholarship and by doing so, uplifting all the communities that my fellow recipients and I will serve.”

2021 Academic Scholarship Deadlines
Those interested may apply online. Each candidate is required to answer five questions in no more than 250 words per question, and submit a brief video, no longer than two minutes. The spring application deadline is April 1. The call for applications will again open from September 15-November 1.

The Foundation launched an updated scholarship portal designed to provide applicants with a more user-friendly experience. “Easier access to scholarships is a plus for busy students, no matter if they’re pursuing a first, second or third career in funeral service,” said Wiensch. “We look forward to helping even more students reach their educational goals in 2021.”

Additional Scholarship Opportunities
The Foundation awarded its first $1,000 academic scholarship in 2002. Nearly two decades later the program has grown to up to 25 scholarships per year. Over the years, the Foundation has also expanded its suite of scholarships to include professional development opportunities open to all funeral directors licensed in the US or Canada. Offerings include Career Development Scholarships, NFDA Professional Women’s Conference Scholarships, and NFDA International Convention & Expo scholarships. More information is available online.

About the Funeral Service Foundation – FuneralServiceFoundation.org
Since 1945, the Funeral Service Foundation has served as the philanthropic voice of the funeral profession and has identified as the charitable arm of the National Funeral Directors Association since 1997. Donors and volunteer leaders profession-wide support the Foundation in its mission of investing in people and programs to strengthen funeral service and lift up grieving communities.