1.Michigan Service Scholars Program
Since October 2004, Alma College has participated in the Michigan Service Scholars Education Award Program organized through Michigan Campus Compact. Students completing 300 hours of service in either youth organizations or through volunteer recruitment at non-profit organizations are eligible to receive a $1,000 AmeriCorps education award. For more details contact the Service Learning Office, Kirk Center, Chapel, (989) 463-7366.
2.The Mary Jansen Opra Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Mary Jansen Opra March 31, 1966 - June 16, 1996
Mary was born Mary Lynn Jansen in Latrobe, Pennsylvania on March 31, 1966 and began life in Clarksburg (near Pittsburgh). Her father, C. Robert Jansen, was a Presbyterian minister in Clarksburg. Her mother, Dorothy Harker Jansen, lived in Alma and attended Alma College for two years before moving to Grove City, PA, where she met C. Robert Jansen. Dorothy Harker is the daughter of John Stanley Harker, President of Alma College from 1951 to 1956. At three years of age, Mary and her family moved from Clarksburg to Taylor, Michigan (near Detroit), where her father became the pastor of Southminster Presbyterian Church. Mary and her family stayed in Taylor until she began her education at Alma.
Her sister, Susan, graduated from Alma in 1984, and her brother, David, graduated from the College of Santa Fe in 1981. Mary graduated from Alma in 1988 with a B.S. in Math and Computer Science. Shortly after graduating, she met John J. Opra and married him in 1991. Mary worked in the banking industry in a wide range of customer related positions. At age 28, on her birthday, she gave birth to Jonathon Stephen Opra. She quickly changed careers and became a stay-at-home mother, a job that she truly loved. In June, 1996, she became ill and died two weeks later.
This scholarship fund was established in her name because of her love for Alma College and her family's strong ties to the college. She spoke often of the friends she had made during her college career and of her good experiences while attending Alma. Recipients of this scholarship are chosen not because of their academic standing or field of study, but because of their character.
Mary was a very unique person. She had the rare ability to give love and friendship unconditionally. Her tragic death had impacted many lives. For many, it was the loss of their best and closest friend. It did not matter who you were or how long you knew her. Once you met her, you were her friend for life. If you were ill, she would come to visit. If you were down, she would call to cheer you up. She cared so much for so many. She was truly blessed. Her greatest joy was that of being a parent. Her smile and her joy came from within. She did not hide them. She let them out to share with everyone she met. As a result of this, everyone's life that she touched is a little sweeter. The goal of this scholarship is to help someone like Mary, someone who is caring compassionate, friendly, and helpful.
Past Recipients:
- 07/08 Mary Miles
- 06/07 Erika Fitzgerald
- 05/06 Megan Stevenson
- 04/05 Jessica Black
- 03/04 Lynsay Masters
- 02/03 Carrie Hecht
- 01/02 Alicia Allen
- 00/01 Melissa Couturier
- 99/00 Heather Hodgson
- 98/99 Holly Caraway
- 97/98 Cynthia Miller
