Funeral Service Foundation Awards $134,900 in Scholarship Support
The Foundation awards 50 academic and professional development scholarships to recipients from 24 states and three Canadian provinces.
Brookfield, Wisconsin — The Funeral Service Foundation, awarded $134,900 in academic and professional development scholarships. Twenty-three students earned academic scholarships ranging from $2,500-$5,000, 17 professionals received the David C. Baue NFDA Professional Women’s Conference Scholarships, and 10 attended the NFDA’s upcoming Certified Celebrant Trainings Seminar in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS
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. Applications will be accepted again this fall.
“A strong education is the foundation of a fulfilling career,” said Funeral Service Foundation Chair Lisa Baue. “Helping students of funeral service throughout the United States and Canada strengthens the entire profession and uplifts the grieving communities we serve.”
Academic Scholarship Spring Class of 2023:
Foundation ’45 Scholarship | $5,000
- Elena Escalona, Des Plaines, Illinois (Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Illinois)
- Rikki Fine, Pomona, California (Cypress College, Cypress, California)
- Maria Gonko, Mendota Heights, Minnesota (Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, Iowa)
- Kristen Groves, Indianapolis, Indiana (Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Illinois)
- Samuel Kellerman, Gatineau, Quebec (Collège Boréal, Sudbury, Ontario)
- Tina Langor, Hillview, Newfoundland and Labrador (Canadian College of Funeral Service, Winnipeg, Manitoba)
- Tanina McMorran, Ivoryton, Connecticut (Goodwin University, East Hartford, Connecticut)
- Noellemarie Smith, Salt Lake City, Utah (Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah)
Bob Horn Scholarship | $2,500
- Kassandra DiNardo, Woodridge, Illinois (Worsham College, Wheeling, Illinois)
Dennis Schoepp Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
- Amy Borazjani, Mustang, Oklahoma (University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma)
FDLIC Scholarship | $2,500
- Tiffany Price, Dacula, Georgia (Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service, Decatur, Georgia)
Harry Pontone Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
- Jordan Pierce, Carbondale, Illinois (Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois)
Harry Pontone Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
- Harleigh Wildesen, Oakland, Maryland (Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Jack Springer Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
- Elizabeth Maycock, Sarver, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
John Carmon Scholarship | $2,500
- Kristina Olson, Abbotsford, British Columbia (Canadian College of Funeral Service, Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Joseph E. Hagan Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
- David Finkbeiner, Marquette, Michigan (Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan)
Louis Pontone Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
- Amanda Izquierdo, Hialeah, Florida (Miami-Dade College North, Miami, Florida)
Mark Hornibrook Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
- Delilah Webster, Markham, Illinois (Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Illinois)
Mark Hornibrook Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
- Sonya Timmons, Atlanta, Georgia (Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, Decatur, Georgia)
Memorial Classic Scholarship | $2,500
- Mary Mery, East Rockaway, New York (Nassau Community College, Garden City, New York)
Shipley Rose Buckner Memorial Scholarship | $2,500
- Taryn Goddard, St. Paul, Minnesota (University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Steve Lang Scholarship | $2,500.00
- Cheryl Johnson, Bull Valley, Illinois (Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, Illinois)
Steve Mack Memorial Scholarship | $2,500.00
- Gim Hunter, Wellington, Kansas (Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, Colorado)
Passion and Gratitude
“This scholarship serves as a testament to your commitment to fostering education and empowering individuals like myself, to pursue their dreams.”
– Amy Borazjani
“This opportunity means so much to me not only as a mortuary science student, but as a transfer student. It will allow me more time to focus on my studies and to purchase the materials to do so. My goal is to become the best funeral director I can be and to bring comfort and compassion to the families I will be serving. With your support, that goal has become so much closer to being reachable and I cannot thank you enough.”
– Taryn Goddard
“I will always remember and appreciate your investment in my future. I too want to make an impact in the funeral industry, even if it’s just a fraction of the legacy of Mr. Stephen Mack. I want to thank you again for all you have done. And I’ll keep in mind what Mr. Mack said, “Let’s agree to keep moving forward… Always be moving forward.”
– Gim Hunter
“Reentering college at this stage in my life was certainly not in my plans, but I am so grateful that I have this opportunity. Without the help of the Funeral Service Foundation Board of Trustees, my next year of study would have been a financial burden. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my dream, as well as that of other students, an achievable goal. Thank you again, your donations truly do make a difference in the lives of funeral students.”
– Tina Langor
View photos of all the academic scholarship winners.
DAVID C. BAUE NFDA PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS
Seventeen female and non-binary funeral service professionals and students received the David C. Baue NFDA Professional Women’s Conference Scholarships to attend the annual conference, held May 5-7 in San Antonio. Each all-inclusive scholarship covered registration fees, hotel stay and a generous travel stipend.
“Education for women held a special place in my father’s heart,” said Foundation Chair Lisa Baue. “In honor of his legacy, the Baue family was honored to award scholarships to 17 exceptional female and non-binary funeral service professionals, whose dedication to the families they serve supports our entire profession.”
From its inauguration in 2022 through the next five years, 100 David C. Baue NFDA Professional Women’s Conference Scholarships—20 per year—will be awarded to female and non-binary funeral service professionals and students to attend the premier conference.
2023 David C. Baue NFDA Professional Women’s Conference Scholarship Recipients:
- Emily Mae Anderson, Anderson Funeral Home, Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Brandy Coryell, Faith Chapel Funeral Home and Crematory, Pensacola, Florida
- Kali Crowley, Cournoyer Funeral Home, Jaffrey, New Hampshire
- Samantha FitzSimmons, Goss Funeral Services, Swanton, Vermont
- Autumn Harden, Nitardy Funeral Homes, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
- Sondra Henry, Hodges Funeral Home, Naples, Florida
- Alyssa Hixon, Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, Pittsburg, Kansas
- Lauren Housman, Rowland-Ford Funeral Home, North Augusta, South Carolina
- Dana Ivins, Busch Funeral Home and Crematory, Parma, Ohio
- Arianna Leal, Dignity Memorial, Leander, Texas
- Amy McMullen, DeBaun Funeral Home, Terre Haute, Indiana
- Kora Michaud, Cournoyer Funeral Home, Jaffrey, New Hampshire
- Kaycee Neilson, Farnsworth Mortuary & Crematory, Jerome, Idaho
- Christa Ovenell, Death’s Apprentice Education & Planning Incorporated, Vancouver, British Columbia
- Staci Shearer, Wabash Memorial Chapel, Shenandoah, Iowa
- Lanae Strovers, Hamilton’s Funeral Home, Des Moines, Iowa
- Maggie White, DeJohn Funeral Home, Willoughby Hills, Ohio
Passion and Gratitude
– Alyssa Hixon
“As a first-generation funeral director, I am always looking for ways to advance my knowledge and growth. I feel very blessed to have received this scholarship. I love learning and hearing from other women in the field, and this would not have been possible without this scholarship. I loved every minute of the PWC and hope to return every year to see old friends and make some new friends. Thank you!”- Dana Ivins
2023 CELEBRANT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS
The Foundation recognizes that celebrants who serve families extend beyond licensed funeral directors. Oftentimes hospice and healthcare professionals, clergy, chaplains, educators, counselors, social workers, and others work with funeral homes to provide families with personalized and meaningful memorialization experiences.
10 Scholarships were awarded to those who are verifiably affiliated with at least one funeral home and interested in becoming a Certified Celebrant at the seminar offered by Insight Institute, and presented by Glenda Stansbury and Cathy Nichols, at the NFDA Headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin from June 7-9. Valued at up to $2,000, the all-inclusive scholarships cover registration fees, two nights of lodging and up to $500 in travel reimbursement.
2023 Celebrant Training Scholarship Recipients:
- Dawn Iannacone, Celebrations by Dawn Angela Savannah, Georgia
- Regan Moreland, Radney Funeral Home, Alexander City, Alabama
- Sarah Rehberg-Ziesmer, Heritage Funeral Home Oak Creek, Wisconsin
- John Schultz, Servies & Morgan Funeral Home, Roachdale, Indiana
- Samantha Sensaas, Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia, Kansas
- Melissa Staley, Smith Family Funeral Home, North Little Rock, Arkansas
- Todd Stiede, Swedberg Funeral Home, Shawano, Wisconsin
- Beth Vogt, Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Homes and Monuments, Mapleton, Iowa
- Susan Watermann, Knight Funeral Home, White River Junction, Vermont
- Melissa Willard, James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole, Massachusetts
NOW ACCEPTING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS:
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS TO CANA’S 105th CREMATION INNOVATION CONVENTION
Thanks to generous donors, the Funeral Service Foundation is offering 5 scholarships to CANA’S 105th Cremation Innovation Convention in Washington D.C. Valued at $2,200, scholarships cover full convention registration fees, three nights of lodging, and up to $500 in travel reimbursement. Open to licensed funeral directors, morticians, embalmers, and students of funeral service. Applications open now. The deadline to apply is Thursday, June 15. Winners will be notified by July.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS TO THE 2023 NFDA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION & EXPO
Thanks to generous donors, the Funeral Service Foundation is offering 20 scholarships to NFDA’s 2023 International Convention & Expo in Las Vegas from September 10-13. Valued at $2,200, scholarships cover full convention registration fees, three nights of lodging, and up to $500 in travel reimbursement. Open to licensed funeral directors, morticians, embalmers, and students of funeral service. Applications open now. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, July 5.
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.
