Four Catholic high school seniors, two each from Mater Dei and Reitz Memorial high schools, were recently awarded the Father Endress Scholarship. In honor of the late-Father James Endress, the scholarship was established in 2021 to benefit well-deserving Mater Dei and Reitz Memorial graduates who are planning post-secondary education at any accredited technical or vocational school, college or university in the United States. Father Endress was ordained April 3, 1960, and he served the Diocese of Evansville and his country in many roles, including 17 years as an Army military chaplain, before returning home and eventually retiring in 2004. He died Jan. 20, 2021, at age 86.
Reitz Memorial High School’s Father Endress Scholarship recipients are Sadie Hofman, left, and Elias Beardmore. Submitted photo
Mater Dei High School’s Father Endress Scholarship recipients are Levi Kunkler, left, and Kathleen Glaser. Kunkler is the son of Bill and Julia Kunkler and is a member of Resurrection Parish. He plans to attend the University of Southern Indiana and major in mechanical engineering. Kunkler said, “I feel honored to receive the Fr. Endress Scholarship because it provides a blessing that I can in turn use to bless others.” Glaser is the daughter of Brian and Lisa Glaser and is a parishioner of St. Wendel. She plans to attend the University of Tennessee and major in kinesiology. She said, “Winning this scholarship allows me the financial freedom to obtain an education that revolves around serving others. … I hope to continue Fr. Endress’s legacy of service and selflessness.” Mater Dei President Deacon Dan Niemeier said, “The Father Endress Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity for our deserving students to enter the next phase of their lives with a significantly reduced financial burden. Just as importantly, Father Endress and his family have left a legacy of paying it forward and returning to God the blessings we have been given that will impact how our students treat others throughout their lives.” Submitted photo
