2009 ProFed Scholarship Recipients

Scholarship recipients and/or their family members attended a ceremony honoring
their achievements on June 11. Left to right: Erika Carmicheal; Lisa Genos
(mother of Kali Genos); Eric Marty; Kaitlyn Renfrew; Kyle Andrews;
Amy Poffenberger; Chris Kuntz. Kali Genos was unable to attend. 

ProFed Credit Union is pleased to announce the winners of the Carroll R. Phillips Memorial Scholarship and Robert A. Weaver Scholarship for the
2009-2010 academic year.

Carroll R. Phillips Memorial Scholarship

The Carroll R. Phillips Memorial Scholarship was created in 1994 to honor the name and memory of Carroll R. Phillips, former chairman of ProFed’s Board of Directors. Mr. Phillips taught at Fort Wayne Community Schools for 35 years and was a past president of the Allen County and Fort Wayne Teachers’ Associations and of Fort Wayne Area Retired Teachers. Mr. Phillips served on ProFed’s Board of Directors for 30 years, spending 28 years as chairman.

This year ProFed is proud to honor five local students and award each of them $1,000 in Mr. Phillips’ name. ProFed commends them for their past academic success and wishes them the best for the future.

Kyle Andrews of Monroe graduated from Adams Central High School in 2009. Kyle has an interest in medicine and plans to become a physician’s assistant. In preparation, he has completed courses as a Certified Nurses Assistant. He has volunteered for the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and has worked at a retirement home. He will be attending the University of Saint Francis in the fall. “I find orthopedic surgery interesting and would like to specialize in that area,” Kyle wrote. “I hope that my character and empathetic nature, along with my passion to help others will benefit the general public and give me great satisfaction in life.” 

Erika Carmicheal of Kendallville graduated from East Noble High School in 2009. Erika loves working with children and plans to become a school guidance counselor. She has volunteered for the American Red Cross, her church, and she also attended the Senator Richard Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow’s Leaders. Erika will be attending the University of Indianapolis in the fall. “I want to get to know kids on a personal level and listen to their problems to help promote their well being,” Erika wrote. “I want to help people with solving problems that children face in academic settings or beyond.”

Kali Genos of Saint Joe attends Marian College in Indianapolis. Kali has participated in many service activities, including teaching church classes. She is also a member of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education and has made the Dean’s List at Marian College.  She plans to receive her degree in Elementary Education in the spring of 2010. “I love to watch children grow, develop, change, and learn about themselves, the world around them, and others around them as well,” Kali wrote. “Every child and every student is valuable, no matter what disability or disadvantage they have in our world.”

Eric Marty of Columbia City graduated from Columbia City High School in 2009. Eric loves writing and communications and plans to become a journalist. He has volunteered in his church youth group, mission trips, and the Future Educators of America. Eric has participated in band and National Honor Society, and served as editor-in-chief of the school’s newspaper. He will be attending Ball State University in the fall.  “Being a journalist or any member of the media would allow me to keep citizens informed, and to achieve my dream and enjoy what I do for a living, all while giving a part of myself back to the community,” Eric wrote.

Kaitlyn Renfrew of Fremont graduated from Fremont High School in 2009. Kaitlyn wants to turn her love for children and passion for science into a career as a pediatrician. She has volunteered at her church and on mission trips, as well as many community events. Kaitlyn has participated in National Honor Society, Spanish club, band, choir, and student council. She will be attending Huntington University in the fall. “I added the passion for science and working with kids to equal the realization that I should be a pediatrician,” Kaitlyn wrote. “I know the road will be challenging, but in the end it will be worth it to accomplish my dream.”

The Robert A. Weaver Scholarship was created in 2007 to provide qualified adults with financial assistance to pursue their educational goals, including apprenticeships, vocational training, and two-year degrees or four-year degrees. Mr. Weaver was the former president of ProFed’s Board of Directors. He served on the board in various capacities from 1986 to 2007. Mr. Weaver also served the board in the honorary capacity of Director Emeritus. He was a retired educator, having taught government, social studies and economics at Fort Wayne Community Schools for over thirty years. He was also an adjunct faculty member at Indiana Institute of Technology. Mr. Weaver's dedication to education led him to work with many civic organizations, including Junior Achievement and the Indiana Credit Union League.

This year, ProFed is proud to honor two recipients of the Robert A. Weaver Scholarship and award them $1,000 each. 

Chris Kuntz of Fort Wayne attends Indiana Wesleyan University in Fort Wayne. He is an employee of Precision Welding in Huntertown and is also the Worship and Arts Director at Union Chapel Church. “I went back to school to learn how to be a better teacher, musician, and leader,” Chris wrote. “Going back to school has taught me several things, the most important being you are never too old to learn, nor should we ever stop.”

Amy Poffenberger of Fort Wayne attends Trine University in Fort Wayne. She is an employee of Dupont Hospital. Her choice to return to school has encouraged her children to each pursue their own college degrees. “I am thankful I have had the opportunity to successfully further my education,” Amy wrote. “I believe I will graduate as a better person, parent and employee.”

Applications for the 2010-2011 academic year will be available online beginning
in early 2010.