32 Vantagepoint Memorial Scholarships Awarded at Annual Dinner

Surviving children and spouses of public sector employees who died in the line of duty were recently awarded Vantagepoint Public Employee Memorial Scholarship Fund scholarships at a special dinner, sponsored by ICMA-RC.

2005 and 2006 Vantagepoint Memorial Scholarship recipients who attended the Annual Award Dinner in Washington, D.C. with ICMA-RC President and CEO Joan McCallen and keynote speaker Terrance Gainer, former United States Capitol Police, Chief of Police (standing L to R): Joan McCallen, Natasha Palmer, Gina Vinecourt, Melea Wilson, Timothy Salvadori, Renee Dunham, Meghan LaPiedra, Shannon LaPiedra, Terrance Gainer; (sitting L to R) Kimberly Dingwall, Scott Hesterberg, Hannah Hudson, Michelle Cunha, Jessica Giacomelli, Maureen Cavalieri.

Joan McCallen, president of the Vantagepoint Memorial Scholarship Fund and CEO and president of ICMA-RC, addresses the audience.

Terrance Gainer, former United States Capitol Police, chief of police, now retired, presents the keynote address.

• See additional photos from this year’s award dinner.

ICMA-RC founded The Vantagepoint Public Employee Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2001 to honor the sacrifice of public sector employees who gave so much to their communities and who paid the ultimate price for their service.

“As a corporation that offers products and services solely to the public sector, it is more than appropriate that we spearhead the effort to help survivors of public service employees who have paid the ultimate price,” said Joan McCallen, President of the Fund and CEO and President of ICMA-RC. “The scholarships will provide support to children and spouses of public sector employees who want to pursue their education.”

At the award dinner, Terrance Gainer, former United States Capitol Police Chief, now retired, Terrance Gainer, former United States Capitol Police Chief, now retired, who comes from long line of law enforcement officials, gave a moving keynote address that touched upon his own memories of loss.

Gainer advised the students to remember their loved ones by living the best lives they can. “The fallen heroes will have proven to have led a good life if their survivors continue their legacy through education,” he said.

As of this year, the Scholarship Fund will have provided 119 students with scholarships worth over $430,000. Scholarship applicants are identified through a variety of sources including participating employers of ICMA-RC, the National Fraternal Order of Police, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. and the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.

The Fund is a Section 501(c)(3) public charity founded by ICMA-RC in 2001. ICMA-RC and its financial services partners and vendors provide financial support for the scholarships.

Following are the 2006/2007 Scholarship award recipients:

• See photos and read the bios of this year’s recipients.
• See additional photos from this year’s award dinner.

Applications for the 2007/2008 school year will be accepted from January 1 – March 31, 2007. Additional information about the scholarship can be found at www.vantagescholar.org.