AUSTIN, TEXAS, MARCH 24, 2015 – The Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2016 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 2016 Silver Award of Excellence recipient is Candace Rivera of Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science who demonstrated a strong commitment to service in her essay. “My goal is to never find myself complacent with my responsibilities or desensitized from the pain of losing a loved one, but to always show empathy towards those that have entrusted me to guide them through one of the most difficult points in their lives”, said Ms. Rivera. She is being awarded a $2,000 scholarship to help complete her studies.
The recipient of the 2016 Gold Award of Excellence is Walter Reghi, Jr. who attends Worsham College of Mortuary Science and is a believer of the independent funeral home, a tenet of OGR. “I have always been an avid supporter of the family owned funeral home, as I believe it truly encompasses what it means to be of service to the community – families helping other families through their deepest and darkest sorrow,” said Mr. Reghi. He will receive a $3,500 scholarship to help complete his studies.
Scholarships will be awarded at OGR’s Annual Conference & Supplier Showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday, April 28. “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 Peter “Skip” Urban, 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.
