Originally Posted on ORG
AUSTIN, TEXAS, MARCH 22, 2017 – The Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2017 Awards of Excellence Gold & Silver Scholarships. The scholarships provide assistance to students about to graduate from mortuary school and enter the funeral profession.
The OGR Foundation awards two scholarships each year to mortuary students based on strong academic performance, funeral service experience, and the strength of their essays which exemplifies a commitment to serving grieving families with compassion, fairness, and dignity. The 2017 Silver Award of Excellence recipient is Brandy Carter of Wayne State University who demonstrated a strong commitment to integrity and the independent funeral home, both tenets of OGR. “If we as professionals do not protect the industry in honoring ethics and high moral standing, the consequences could result in the demise of generations of family built businesses. In my career, I will aim to maintain what generations have built based on ethical standards and leave a positive impact within my community,” said Ms. Carter. She is being awarded a $2,000 scholarship to help complete her studies.
The recipient of the 2017 Gold Award of Excellence is Joshua Woodruff who attends Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and is a proponent for offering personalized, meaningful services to grieving families. “Through creative alterations, funeral directors can deliver better services that many families will appreciate. I’ve learned that the bereaved appreciate genuine attempts towards making a viewing more conducive to the grief process. Cremation can be done better. I will use my creativity to offer a better experience for cremation cases,” said Mr. Woodruff. He will receive a $3,500 scholarship to help complete his studies.
Scholarships will be awarded at OGR’s Annual Conference & Supplier Showcase in New Orleans, LA on Friday, April 21. “These students embody values and principles on which OGR is based. We are happy to be able to help mortuary students realize their goals, and I am sure they will make a wonderful addition to the field of funeral service. I congratulate them on winning these scholarships,” said Adam Martin, OGR Foundation president.
The mission of OGR’s charitable foundation is to fund, perform and/or support activities on behalf of the International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR). Its five-member Board of Directors is responsible for identifying projects that advance the standards of funeral service or contribute to the compassionate care of individuals in need. Learn more at www.ogr.org/charitable-foundation.
About OGR
Founded in 1928, OGR is affiliated with independent funeral homes throughout North America and overseas that share common goals of exemplary service, uncompromising care and compassion to families in their time of need. For more information, visit www.ogr.org.
