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Criminal Justice

The William Hegarty Scholarship is awarded on a yearly basis to a Grand Valley State University Criminal Justice graduate student, working in law enforcement.  

The scholarship honors William Hegarty, who embraced higher education throughout his police career. Obtaining a degree while on the Oakland Police Department in California, Hegarty moved to Michigan State University for graduate studies. After completing graduate school, he joined the faculty at Michigan State. He left MSU to become the Director of Public Safety in Jackson, Michigan in 1972. In 1974 Chief Hegarty led the New Rochelle Police Department in New York until he came to Grand Rapids.  Hegarty was Chief of the Grand Rapids Police Department from 1982 to 1997 and taught as an adjunct in the School of Criminal Justice at Grand Valley from 1984 until 1997. Chief Hegarty had a special fondness for GVSU and his teaching legacy lives on. He donated funds to establish Hegarty Criminal Justice scholarship when he retired

Scholarship Recipient:

• 2020/21 - Shannon Bacon 
• 2013/14 - Sean P. Burns
• 2012/13 - Ross L. VandenBerg
• 2011/12 - Ross L. VandenBerg
• 2010/11 - Francisco F. Pena | Ross L. VandenBerg
• 2009/10 - Francisco F. Pena | Benjamin T. Reuschel

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Criminal Justice

The Shawn D. Wiersma Justice Memorial Scholarship benefits an entering senior student with a major in criminal justice who plans to enter the police or legal professions.

This scholarship memorialize Shawn Wiersma who died in a tragic auto crash on September 6, 2004. Shawn is remembered for his service to the Holland Police Department through the City Attorney’s Office, a client of the Cunningham Dalman P.C. law office where he practiced. He developed many friendships within the police department and was highly respected for his ethics and character by clients and colleagues alike. In addition, Shawn is remembered for his service as an instructor in the Grand Valley State University School of Criminal Justice. He was highly respected by students and colleagues and loved his teaching experience which was reflected in his close ties with his students. His commitment to education was unmatched.

Scholarship Recipients:  

• 2020/21 - Hallie Ruegsegger
• 2019/20 - Allyssa J. Zamarripa
• 2018/19 -  Jessica R. Reece
• 2017/18 -  Ashley K. Gesselman | Jodi L. Engel
• 2016/17 -  Gabriela J. Diaz |  Michaela G. Merillat | Ross H. Barrett
• 2015/16 -  Kailee N. Schuett | Kaylee M. McWilliams
• 2014/15 -  Logan A. O'Neal | Catherine R. Irwin
• 2013/14 - Stefan C. Bero | Asia L. Taylor | Kaylynn M. Watkins | Costas Ciungan
• 2012/13 - Bradley S. Bennett | Sam J. Fearnow | Michael R. Hecko
• 2011/12 - Larry D. Harris | Ryan L. Dannenberg | Megan M. Kennedy | Daniel L. Saldana
• 2010/11 - Derrick A. Smith
• 2009/10 - Jeffrey J. Hoogewind | Benjamin D. Walkington 

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Related Programs:

Criminal Justice

Legal Studies

Paralegal Studies Certificate

The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize and reward students who major in either Legal Studies or Criminal Justice with the intention of entering and contributing to the legal profession and also encourage them to participate in international educational opportunities. Legal profession is defined to include those who study, develop and apply law as a lawyer and also includes paralegals, legal assistants, law clerks, or other legal professionals who perform work that a lawyer would otherwise complete under the supervision of a lawyer.

This scholarship, created by James and Kristine Mullendore, James M. Mullendore received his JD from Virginia School of Law and has been in private legal practice for over 40 years. Kristine received her JD from the Boston University School of Law. Before joining the faculty of the School of Criminal Justice at GVSU, she worked as a pre-hearing attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals, an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Kent County Prosecutor's Office, and an instructor at Montcalm Community College. As active members of the Michigan Bar and experienced legal practitioners, the Mullendores recognize the importance of financial support for those pursuing a career in the legal profession

Scholarship Recipients:

• 2020/21 - Jessica Holstege | Emma Kinch | Noah Roberts | Cameron Schultz
• 2019/20 - Kylee R. Boals | Madeline J. Clark
• 2018/19 -  Holly M. Bohner | Kacey L. Henning | Olivia M. Browder | Kelly A. Jahnke | Raven J. Smith
• 2017/18 -  De'Chelle J. Richards | Kacey L. Henning | Kelly A. Jahnke
• 2016/17 -  De'Chelle J. Richards | Amanda G. Lewis     
• 2015/16 -  Karen S. Miller | Jewel M. Haji | Monica R. Pilarski | Amanda G. Lewis            
• 2014/15 -  Karen S. Miller | Brenda P. Garcia | Hannah J. Meyers | Andrew R. McInnis | Kayla E. Thompson | Megan E. McKeon| Erika M. Tribuzi | Monica R. Pilarski | Constance R. Turnbull
• 2013/14 - Paige L. DeJong | Hannah J. Meyers | Kyle N. Tank | Erika M. Tribuzi
• 2012/13 - Paige L. DeJong | Asia L. Taylor
• 2011/12 - Derrick A. Smith | Matthew J. Peterson | Ashley S. Tate
• 2010/11 - Andrea N. Suttner | Lauren F. Fritz | Kaitlin G. Sweet | Lindsay M. Tryc | Melissa M. Casalina | Ashley S. Tate
• 2009/10 - Andrea N. Suttner | Alyssa M. Desgranges | Melissa M. Casalina 

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Related Program:

Criminal Justice

This scholarship was established by the GVSU School of Criminal Justice faculty to recognize and reward students who have demonstrated academic potential to excel in criminal justice studies at GVSU.

This endowment was established by eleven faculty members in Grand Valley State University School of Criminal Justice who wrote a textbook, Justice & Society: An Introduction, and chose to designate any proceeds to fund this scholarship.

Scholarship Recipients:

• 2020/21 - Olivia Grice | Shireen Salam | Stephanie Solis
• 2019/20 - Grace E. Darling | Kelsie L. Gay | Shae O. Tatigian
• 2018/19 -  Elizabeth E. Stuart | Shae O. Tatigian | Cameron L. Borns | Rose M. Walgenbach
• 2017/18 -  Alisse H. Havlicek | Taijah M. Claybrook | John J. McGrath
• 2016/17 -  Joshua P. Witherell | Abigail M. Elliott | Kilike Steyn
• 2015/16 -  Christina E. Herrod | Joshua P. Witherell
• 2014/15 -  Thomas A. Worm | Eric M. Donoghue | Christina E. Herrod | Jacob Grinwis
• 2013/14 - Kaylynn M. Watkins | Brittany A. Johnson | Jessica R. Mac Vane | Megan E. McKeon

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Related Program:

Police Academy

This scholarship is to assist students who are enrolled in the GVSU Police Academy.

This fund remembers and honors Scott Flahive,  On Dec. 13, 1994, Grand Haven police officer Scott Flahive was shot and killed after he had stopped a vehicle which was just chased into the city limits and contained two recently escaped criminals. As Officer Flahive approached the car one of the suspects was laying in the back seat and shot through the door with a 30-06 rifle, striking him and killing him instantly. The suspects turned themselves in and the shooter was sentenced to multiple life sentences. The accomplices were sentenced to 10 and 15 years.

Scholarship Recipient: 

• 2017/18 - Joseph C. Rohloff
• 2016/17 -  Nicholas C. Evans
• 2015/16 -  Brooke F. Lowe
• 2014/15 -  Brittany M. Howard
• 2013/14 - Seth A. Beelen
• 2012/13 - Chad R. Buchholz
• 2011/12 - Brett C. Bylsma
• 2010/11 - Patrick S. VanDommelen
• 2009/10 - Lucas M. Van Bragt

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Related Programs:

Criminal Justice

Police Academy

Ray Hoffman comes from a family dedicated to serving others through law-enforcement. His father and brother were in law enforcement for over 25 years, and his sister worked for Kent County dispatch for over 25 years as well. Ray began his education in criminal justice at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). He was called from the GVSU Police Academy to enter into the Michigan State Police 108th recruit school and was the youngest trooper ever inducted. For 24 years, Ray happily served as a Michigan State Trooper at the Wayland post. He had the opportunity to take on many different roles in the State Police, but his passion was helping to protect and defend children through his work in forensic interviewing and working with Safe Harbor Children Abuse and Neglect Center. Ray was also well known in his community as a devoted husband, loving father, son, brother and friend. This scholarship has been created to honor and remember Trooper Raymond Hoffman’s dedication to his family, friends, community, and the children he sought to protect on a daily basis. May Ray’s life be an inspiration to the recipients of this scholarship to selflessly serve others.

Scholarship Recipient:

• 2020/21 - Olivia Grice | Andrew Mingerink | Tyler Postma
• 2018/19 - Gerson S. Colorado | Lauren T. Rezler

Paralegal Section of the Michigan Bar Association Scholarship

The State Bar of Michigan Paralegal/Legal Assistant Section presents at least two non-renewable tuition/books-only scholarships.  Scholarships generally range from $250 to $1,000.  For details and a current scholarship application.

NALS of West Michigan Scholarship

Applications for this $500 scholarship awarded by the West Michigan chapter of the National Association for Legal Professionals are typically due in the fall of each year.  For further information, visit the chapter website:

Warner, Norcross & Judd Paralegal Assistant Scholarship

This scholarship for “students of color majoring in paralegal…studies” is administered by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.  A description of the scholarship and a scholarship application are on the Foundation website: 

Scott A. Flahive Memorial Scholarship from the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation

Applicants must reside within the boundaries of the Grand Haven or Spring Lake Public School Districts, unless the recipient does not reside within these boundaries solely by reason of pursuing studies in the field of law enforcement or criminal justice, in which case the residency requirement must have been satisfied immediately preceding the recipient's pursuit of such studies. Applicant must not be disqualified from ever serving as a police or public safety officer, whether by reason of physical or mental limitations, because of a prior criminal record, or otherwise; must have an express interest in, and a present intent to pursue, a full-time professional career in law enforcement and/or criminal justice; and must demonstrate an aptitude for study in the field of law enforcement and/or criminal justice, by a satisfactory GPA, work experience or recommendations.