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U Of M Fort Wayne Club Scholarship Guidelines And Application
The UM Club of Fort Wayne is pleased to offer the following need-based scholarships:
LOCAL CLUB SCHOLARSHIP: This is U-M scholarship account 321250. Funds are invested in the U-M Investment Pool (not an endowment fund) and are credited with interest at the 90 day Treasury bill rate. The earliest record U-M has for this fund is for March of 1957. The club account has given at least one scholarship almost every year since 1981.
DON FACKLER SCHOLARSHIP: The Fackler family established this scholarship in honor of Don F. Fackler, a Lincoln National Life actuary. Don was the first recipient of a local club fund award. He was a true Michigan man and said he would not have been able to attend Michigan without the help of the local club. Don practiced his actuarial career at Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, then a multi-line insurance company. He rose to the position of Chief Group Actuary and Senior Vice President and served in that capacity for many years prior to his passing in August, 1983. Initially, the scholarship money resided in the club scholarship fund and awards were made with club funds. Tamara Neubauer was the first winner in 1984. In 1988, the club moved funds to the current separate scholarship fund. This quickly grew with new contributions. The club picks a recipient every four years with input from Joan (Joanie) Gerberding, Don’s widow. Awards are to utilize interest and not diminish principal. The fund was re-endowed with $500,000 (and 50% match by Victors Campaign) in 2017 by Joanie Gerberding. Joanie has one son, Stephen (Madeleine is his wife) Fackler and one daughter, Deborah Fackler McPherson (Timothy is her husband).
RICHARD MENGE SCHOLARSHIP: The Richard C. Menge Scholarship is given in memory of this University of Michigan graduate. Dick, as he was called by family and friends, graduated in 1957 from the School of Literature, Science, and Arts with a B.A. Degree in Psychology. Following two years in the U.S. Army where he attained the rank of First Lieutenant, Dick returned to the University of Michigan to study Business. He received his MBA in May, 1961.
On July 1, 1961, he and Mary Carolyn Poe were married, and on July 15, 1961, Dick began his 35 year career with Indiana-Michigan Electric Company. He started there as a Management Trainee; upon completion of that program, his first assignment was as Personnel Supervisor at the Tanners Creek Plant in Lawrenceburg, IN. Two years later, Dick became Personnel Manager in the Fort Wayne District Office. Many years and advancements later, he retired as the President of Indiana-Michigan Electric Company in 1995.
During his years in Fort Wayne, Dick contributed his time and support to a number of charitable causes. He was an active member of Trinity English Lutheran Church, the YMCA, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Channel 39, Rotary, and the Chamber of Commerce, just to name a few.
Dick and Mary had three children, David, Peter and Karen. Son Peter and his wife, Cynthia McGrae, were also University of Michigan graduates; their fields were nuclear engineering and law, respectively. In fact, Peter was the recipient of a University of Michigan Alumni Scholarship in 1984. Dick’s father, Walter O. Menge, was also a University of Michigan graduate and a professor of actuarial science there. Walter later retired as president of Lincoln National Life Insurance Company in Fort Wayne.
Sports, especially University of Michigan football, were Dick’s passion. He enjoyed attending games with his buddies from college days, and stayed in close contact with several of his fraternity brothers. The University played a big part in Dick’s personal, career and family life.
One year after retiring from I &M, Dick and his wife were traveling to China. He died suddenly in Hong Kong at age 61. In a plan to honor Dick’s memory, his wife Mary Menge (now Scrogham), children and father decided a fitting memorial would be to fund a scholarship for students from northeastern Indiana wishing to attend the University of Michigan. The first Richard C. Menge Scholarship was awarded in May, 2000. Sara Reser was the first recipient. The amount has varied over the years, depending on the proceeds from the endowment and the needs of the students.
LOUIS AND MARGARET CROSBY SCHOLARSHIP: This scholarship fund was established in December, 2001 by Garet and Carolyn Crosby in honor of their parents, Louis and Margaret Crosby. The scholarship is for students in Fort Wayne, Allen County and Indiana in that priority order. The amount awarded is set with input from U-M. We have awarded this scholarship numerous times. The Crosbys have continued to give generously to the club scholarship fund in addition to their own fund.
Best of luck and Go Blue!