Funeral Service Foundation Announces Spring Academic Scholarship Recipients and Expansion of Academic Scholarship Program

Brookfield, Wis. – The Funeral Service Foundation is proud to award 24 academic scholarships to students pursuing an education in funeral service and is on track to award an additional 27 academic scholarships this fall – more than doubling its current program and awarding a record $147,500 in scholarship support in 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.

“For nearly two decades the Foundation has awarded scholarships to students whose commitment to this profession is evident in their thoughtful and focused scholarship applications,” said Foundation Chair Anthony Guerra. “In 2002, we offered a single $1,000 academic scholarship in memory of Joseph A. Hagan. Nearly 20 years later, we’re on track to impact the lives of 51 students. Our academic scholarship recipients show such promise and purpose, so doubling our academic scholarship program for 2021 was an easy decision.”

Academic Scholarship Spring Class of 2021:

Foundation ’45 Scholarships — $5,000

• Samantha Joey Barnes, Springdale, Arkansas (Mid-America College of Funeral Service, Jeffersonville, Indiana)
• Matthew Martin, Kenosha, Wisconsin (Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Illinois)
• Rachel Neiman, Chicago (Malcolm X College, Chicago)
• Micheline Walkey, Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada (Canadian College of Funeral Service, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)

Foundation ’45 Scholarships – $2,500

• Katherine Barnes, Indianapolis, Indiana (Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, Cincinnati)
• Vanderbilt Brabson, Bronx, New York (American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service Education, New York)
• Twuleeka Davis, Detroit (Wayne State University, Detroit)
• Alicia Kerr, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Humber College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
• Sarah King, Corvallis, Tennessee (John A. Gupton College, Nashville, Tennessee)
• Jodi Labun, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada (Canadian College of Funeral Service, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
• Ashli McCall, Tallahassee, Florida (St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg, Florida)
• Jessica McElligott, Brooklyn, New York (American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service Education, New York)
• Miranda Mejia, Brooklyn, New York (State University of New York – Canton, Canton, New York)
• Mackenzie Morton-Reid, York, Ontario, Canada (Humber College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
• Rachel Oerlemans, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada (Humber College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
• Jared Oswald, Long Island City, New York (American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service Education, New York)
• Rachel Paulson, Coon Rapids, Minnesota (Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, Iowa)
• Opal Tatom, Wichita Falls, Texas (Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, Dallas)
• Mary Taylor, Waycross, Georgia (Ogeechee Technical College, Statesboro, Georgia)

Shipley Rose Buckner Memorial Scholarship – $2,500

• Amber Perez, West Allis, Wisconsin (Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee)

Joseph E. Hagan Memorial Scholarship – $2,500

• Kyle Wiegel, Chicago (Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Illinois)

Steve Lang Scholarship – $2,500

• Frank Fragapane, Rome, New York (State University of New York – Canton, Canton, New York)

Memorial Classic Scholarship – $2,500

• Edy Ballard, Morristown, Indiana (Vincennes University, Vincennes, Indiana)

Dennis Schoepp Memorial Scholarship – $2,500

• Hunter Keller, Billings, Montana (Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, Colorado)

Passion and Gratitude
“Receiving this scholarship shows me that someone out there believes in me and believes in the work that I want to do. It gives me even more drive, passion, and determination to excel. I’ll be forever grateful,” said Perez, who graduated in May.

Martin, who is on track to graduate this fall, noted, “I am truly grateful for the honor that has been bestowed upon me. The Foundation ’45 Scholarship is a testimony to the Foundation’s long-standing dedication to supporting the pursuit of excellence in funeral service and I am humbled to now be an ambassador of this mission. Thank you!”

“After two years of intense schooling and juggling the demands of career, study and family all within the confines of a global pandemic, this scholarship comes at a perfect time! It is a reminder to me that hard work pays off and that there is much to be thankful for,” said Labun, who graduated in June.

View photos and testimonials of all 24 academic scholarship winners on at https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/academicscholarships/.

Fall 2021 Call for Applications
Those interested in Fall academic scholarships may apply online at https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/academicscholarships/ from September 15 to November 1. 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. Those who have applied in the past but have not been awarded an academic scholarship from the Foundation are encouraged to re-apply.

Scholarships for Military Veterans
The Funeral Service Foundation, together with the ICCFA Educational Foundation, will award two $5,000 academic scholarships per year to military veterans who are pursuing an education in funeral service. Additionally, the newly established Hunter M. Harbeson Memorial Scholarship will offer two $2,500 scholarships each year to military veterans. The scholarships (awarded in spring and fall) are offered as part of the Journey to Serve initiative, which aims at recruiting military veterans into all aspects of the funeral service and deathcare profession. Those interested may apply online from September 15 to November 1 at https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org/academicscholarships/. Learn more about the landmark Journey to Serve initiative at JourneyToServe.com.

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.