Education foundation finds ways to support next generation of professionals. Apply for Loomer-Mortenson Scholarships by May 15, 2020.
4/8/2020 9:00
Last year out of the blue, ACA International received a welcome correspondence from the widow of a former member whose name most people associated with ACA probably recognize.
The correspondence was from Linda (Loomer) Connell, whose late husband Robert E. Loomer’s legacy lives on through the highly successful Loomer-Mortenson Scholarship Program.
Loomer, a respected, sought-after instructor responsible for educating hundreds of collectors from 1975-84 for ACA’s education department, shares the scholarship name with Irvin “Dempsey” Mortenson, ACA’s director of public affairs from 1973-1981. The two men, along with former ACA Board of Directors President (1985/86) Dalton Sheppard Jr., were close friends and actively involved in member education. Thus, in one of his first actions as board president, Sheppard established the scholarship in honor of his friends.
Fast forward almost 35 years to Connell, who said she was “extremely pleased to see the progress of the scholarship as a memorial for my late husband, Robert E. Loomer, and ACA staff member Dempsey Mortenson.”
And, thanks to 35 years of ACA board members, association members and staff, the Loomer-Mortenson Scholarship Program has grown and expanded to help hundreds of students connected to the association and industry pursue higher education.
The tradition will carry on in 2020 as the ACA International Education Foundation, headed by former Board President Jack W. Brown III, looks forward to awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships to upcoming and current college students with good grades, writing skills and a connection to the industry via their employment or the employment of a parent.
Scholarship Season Kicks Off Today!
The Education Foundation is officially kicking off scholarship season by inviting qualified students to begin writing an essay, completing the accompanying application and requesting official high school/college transcripts. In 2020, the Foundation will award more than $50,000 including one first place scholarship in the amount of $10,000 ; one second place award in the amount of $5,000; one third place award of $3,000; and others in the amount of $1,000.
Eligibility & Selection Criteria:
- Must be a current employee of a company affiliated with the collection industry; or a dependent child of such an employee.
- Scholarship recipients must enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours at an accredited college, university, vocational-technical college or community college within 12 months following receipt of the award.
- The program is open to applicants throughout the United States.
- Winners will be selected based on their cumulative grade point average (GPA) and an essay (700 to 1,500 words in length) on the topic on the value of consumer credit to our nation’s economy.
- Individuals who won ACAEF Loomer-Mortenson Scholarships in the amount of $10,000, $5,000 or $3,000 (first, second or third place) in the prior year are not eligible for one of the top three prizes the following year. However, previous winners are welcome to apply for scholarships in the amount of $1,000. Preference will be given to new applicants.
Applications sent via U.S. Mail must be postmarked no later than May 15, 2020; alternatively students may email applications no later than May 15, 2020 to [email protected]. Additional information including eligibility requirements are available on ACA’s website located at https://www.acainternational.org/about/loomer-mortenson-scholarship. Good luck!
The most recognizable effort used to support the scholarship program is Collectors Challenge, an annual fundraising program that takes place throughout the month of June this year. Anyone employed by an ACA member company that has participated in the challenge probably recognizes some of its signature activities such as “jeans for charity,” bake sales, chili cook-offs or raffles. The creative ideas are endless and there’s no limit on what a company can do or how much is acceptable to donation.
In the last few years, the number of member companies participating in Collectors Challenge has dwindled to less than 30. While every dollar is appreciated and useful to the next generation of scholarship recipients, the Foundation encourages more companies to participate this year.
Additional information about Collectors Challenge is forthcoming. But for now, members can view the online toolkit before the official kickoff June 1, 2020. The toolkit also includes posters to hang in common areas such as break rooms or meeting spaces to generate interest and spread the word about Collectors Challenge and the Loomer-Mortenson Scholarship program. Additionally, each ACA member will receive two special informational 11 x 17 posters by mail for use in their offices.
Stay tuned for additional information on the Loomer-Mortenson Scholarship program and Collectors Challenge.
The Loomer-Mortenson Scholarship program is managed by the ACA International Education Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) supported by the generosity of ACA members through Collectors Challenge and other fundraising activities.