The MARSP Foundation Board determined in 1995 that one area of education in which there seems to be a void was financial assistance for the public school employees. “Some time ago I enthusiastically supported the idea that the Foundation provide scholarships to working members of the retirement system who wanted to improve their position in the workforce through continuing education,” said Foundation Past Chairman Richard J. Smith. The first scholarships were awarded in 1996. The scholarship is available for all public school employees, no matter what their current position is, as long as they are furthering their education in an area that will be beneficial to working in the public school arena. The scholarship grants are disbursed in July, and are usually for the fall semester for the year in which the scholarship is awarded. To date, the MARSP Foundation has awarded over 75 scholarships, in amounts ranging from $300 to $1000.
Funds for the scholarships come from the contributions of MARSP members and supporters. Checks or credit card payments can be mailed to the MARSP Foundation directly, and come in various amounts from $1.00 to $1,000. If you would like to make a contribution to this worthwhile project, you may send a check or money order, or make a credit card payment using the contribution form in Foundation Resources.
Because the Foundation Scholarship Fund is a designated fund, it cannot be used for any other purpose. Also, contributions to the fund may be tax-deductible for those who itemize.
If you who would like to apply for the scholarship, or know of someone who would, please complete, or give to another applicant, the scholarship application form included in Foundation Resources. Applications are accepted only from January 1 to March 31 of the year in which the scholarship will be awarded. If you have a question regarding the dates, please contact the MARSP office. Following are the eligibility requirements.
Eligibility: Any current employee of any public school system which reports to MPSERS (Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System) may receive a scholarship grant for any and all educational endeavors available from, but not limited to, a four-year degree granting institution of higher learning, a community college, a technical or vocational institution within the state of Michigan, or seminars/workshops offered by any legally established professional organization from within the state of Michigan. It is expected that the recipient will agree to continue to work in a Michigan public sector educational institution for at least one year following the date of the completion of the training. Withdrawal from the program prior to completion may result in a loss of funding. The grant shall not exceed $1,000.00. Disbursement of all scholarship funds (tuition and materials) shall be made directly to the institution or professional organization up to the amount of the scholarship award. IRS requires the recipient’s social security number to receive this grant.
MARSP Foundation Scholarship Committee
Lynda Manthey, Allegan County Chapter , Chairman
Robert Wiles, Chippewa-Mackinac Chapter
MARSP Foundation Scholarship Fund Recipients
| Recipient Name | Hometown | College/University Attending |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ||
| Cassandra Bedtelyon | West Branch, MI | Baker College |
| Elizabeth Litzner | St. Ignace, MI | Northern Michigan University |
| Rachel Reich | Sault Ste Marie, MI | Western Governor's University |
| Tracy Whittkopf | Kingsford, MI | Lake Superior State University |
| 2014 | ||
| Jason Lehman | DeTour Village, MI | Western Governor's University |
| Beth Reed | Newberry, MI | Oakland University |
| Deanna Robinette | Escanaba, MI | Bay de Noc Community College |
| Narissa Ross | Three Rivers, MI | Western Michigan University |
| Brittany Stabile | Sault Ste. Marie, MI | Grand Valley State University |
| 2013 | ||
| Danielle Ash | Jenison, MI | Central Michigan University |
| Ayla Kitchen | Reed City, MI | Central Michigan University |
| Helen Paquette | Iron Mountain, MI | Bay de Noc Community College |
| Jessica Savoie | Rudyard, MI | Lake Superior State University |
| Bonita "Bo" Winkler | Iron Mountain, MI | Northern Michigan University |
| 2012 | ||
| Whitney Beauchamp | Iron Mountain, MI | ACE Program |
| Terri Feronni | Sault Ste. Marie, MI | Bay Mills Community College |
| Kathryn Jennings | Barbeau, MI | Grand Valley State University |
| Jennifer Mientkiewicz | New Boston, MI | Madonna University |
| Mandy Springer | East Lansing, MI | Summer Institute at Okemos High |
| Robin Winton | Fairview, MI | Ferris State University |
| 2011 | ||
| Kristin Crowe | Northville, MI | Oakland University |
| Brady Flachs | Stanwood, MI | Central Michigan University |
| Adam Gumbrecht | Holt, MI | Eaton Rapids Schools |
| Derek Lounds | Grand Ledge, MI | Central Michigan University |
| 2010 | ||
| No scholarships awarded | ||
| 2009 | ||
| Susan Boven | Caledonia, MI | Learner’s Edge Inc. |
| Tammy Hereau | Cornell, MI | Lake Superior State University |
| Lori Janczewski | Rose City, MI | Saginaw Valley State University |
| Adriana Ranta | Mason, MI | Eastern Michigan University |
| 2008 | ||
| Lynn Amato | Boyne City, MI | Grand Valley State University |
| Jennifer Bess | Farmington Hills, MI | Eastern Michigan University |
| Kimberly Cole | Detroit, MI | University of Detroit Mercy |
| Tammy Hereau | Cornell, MI | Lake Superior State University |
| Michelle Pifer | Williamston, MI | Michigan Technological University |
| Shannon Tripp | Alto, MI | Western Michigan University |
| 2007 | ||
| Heidi Aldrich | Breckenridge, MI | Central Michigan University |
| Dean Gage | Saranac, MI | Ferris State University |
| Olivier Harmenil | Holt, MI | Bureau of Education & Research |
| Kerry Zylka | South Lyon, MI | Eastern Michigan University |
| 2006 | ||
| Lisa Bell | Flint, MI | University of Michigan-Flint Campus |
| Jill Blyveis | Otsego, MI | Kalamazoo Valley Community College |
| Katherine Demorest | Battle Creek, MI | Michigan State University |
| Cherril Lott | Redford, MI | Eastern Michigan University |
| Kerry Zylka | South Lyon, MI | Eastern Michigan University |
| 2005 | ||
| Mark Burton | Cedar Springs, MI | Cornerstone University |
| Susan Busken | Norton Shores, MI | Grand Valley State University |
| Linda Fineout | Indian River, MI | Spring Arbor University |
| Molly Ross | Caseville, MI | Saginaw Valley State University |
| 2004 | ||
| Sherrieanne Farnsworth | Gregory, MI | Eastern Michigan University |
| Molly Ross | Caseville, MI | Saginaw Valley State University |
| Rayme Martineau | Autrain, MI | Northern Michigan University |
| Lori Simpson | Otisville, MI | Eastern Michigan University |
| 2003 | ||
| Denise A. Cole | Kalamazoo, MI, | Western Michigan University |
| Barbara A. Hoffmeyer | Onaway, MI | Spring Arbor University |
| Sharon L. Morgan | Kalamazoo, MI | Western Michigan University |
| Heidi K.Yager | Muskegon, MI | Grand Valley State University |
| 2002 | ||
| Pamela M. Ackley | Charlotte, MI | Lansing Community College |
| Brie K. Minshall | Grand Ledge, MI | Central Michigan University |
| Donna Jean Piper | Ossineke, MI | Alpena Community College |
| Katie Rondeau-Thomson | Ossineke, MI | Marygrove College |
| 2001 | ||
| Angela C. Dalton | Muir, MI | Aquinas College |
| 2000 | ||
| Angela C. Dalton | Muir, MI | Aquinas College |
| Ellen M. George | Detroit, MI | Madonna University |
| Pamela L. Hotchkiss | Belding, MI | Spring Arbor College |
| Cynthia Anne Raymo | Caseville, MI | Oakland University |
| Wendy J. Schmitz | Montrose, MI | Saginaw Valley State University |
| 1999 | ||
| No scholarships awarded | ||
| 1998 | ||
| Robin Alger | Davison, MI | University of Michigan-Flint |
| Wendy DeWolfe | Parma, MI | Madonna University |
| Shelley Freeland | Bailey, MI | Baker College |
| Joseph A. George | Flint, MI | Computer Data, Inc. |
| Judy Goldberg | Saginaw, MI | Delta College |
| Gayle L. Jones | Marysville, MI | University of Michigan-Flint |
| Curtis A. Krohn | Bad Axe, MI | Saginaw Valley State University |
| Vicki Ellen Pett | Saginaw, MI | Delta College |
| 1997 | ||
| Terry Barkley | Ironwood, MI | Leelanau Center for Education |
| Bonnie Clark | Big Rapids, MI | Grand Valley State University |
| Gayle L. Jones | Marysville, MI | St. Clair Community College |
| Dana Mikesell | Muskegon, MI | Western Michigan University |
| Deborah Schramski | Traverse City, MI | Davenport College |
| 1996 | ||
| Dorothy Dow Hannum | Michigan | Saginaw Valley State University |
| Elizabeth Gonzalez | Lenawee, MI | Lenawee ISD Vocational-Technical Center |
| Amy Howard | Michigan | Eastern Michigan University |
| Carolyn S. O’Neil | Michigan | University of Michigan-Flint |