WOOSTER, Ohio - In partnership with the Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF), the Seaman Family Foundation has awarded four outstanding high school seniors from the 2023 graduating class with its first annual Seaman Family Scholarships.
- Arden Godek, daughter of Tim Godek (Senior Graphic Designer): $3,500
- Gavin Phillips, son of Jon Phillips (Production Supervisor): $2,000
- Craig (CJ) Reed, son of Michele Reed (Senior CARE Specialist): $2,000
- Morgan Shepherd, daughter of Erin Shepherd (Customer Experience Manager): $2,000
The Seaman Family Foundation established this new scholarship in 2022 for graduating high school seniors of current, full-time Seaman Corporation associates. These scholarships are meant to recognize excelling students who wish to further their education and can be applied toward tuition, fees, books, supplies, and items directly related to their studies at an accredited institution of higher learning (college, university, vocational, or technical school) of their choosing.
The Seaman Family Foundation was founded in 1994 by Richard and Judy Seaman to support philanthropic causes and to cultivate the spirit of giving within future generations.
"Together with Seaman Corporation, we established this program to recognize ambitious high school seniors, who are the children of full-time associates of Seaman Corporation and want to further their education beyond high school," said Kim Seaman, Seaman Corporation board member, Seaman Family Foundation trustee, and daughter of former CEO Richard Seaman.
"It is our hope that these scholarships acknowledge the hard work of these students and serves as a small springboard to them as they continue to pursue success in the next chapter of their lives."
Applicants of the Seaman Family Foundation Scholarship were considered on the basis of personal motivation/ambition, academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and financial need. Selections were made by an independent committee of WCCF and recipients were notified via personal letter written and distributed by Kim. Each high school also held an award ceremony for their graduating class to recognize all recipients with scholarships, academic honors, and special awards.
Students, and their parents, shared their appreciation upon receiving news from Kim, and noted the impact the scholarship would have on their future.
"Thank you for selecting me as a recipient of one of the inaugural Seaman Family Foundation scholarships," wrote senior Gavin Phillips. "This scholarship is a great honor not only to me, but to my family as well. My dad has spent so many years working for such a great company and our family has nothing but gratitude for all that is done."
Gavin has been accepted to Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio where he will pursue a degree in Sport Management/Business Administration. He was 3rd in his graduating class with a GPA of 3.702, a member of National Honor Society, a Roy S. Bates recipient, and an OHSAA Scholar Athlete. Gavin enjoys all aspects of most sports, from coaching to learning and playing, as well as the operational functions of sporting events.
During his awards ceremony at Northwestern High School, Gavin received several scholarship awards from the community and the school, recognizing his academic and personal achievements.
Morgan Shepherd, CJ Reed, and Arden Godek all had adamant appreciation for the Seaman family as well.
"I want to say thank you for giving me the scholarship and helping me to achieve my goals," Morgan said. "I very much appreciate you!"
Morgan plans to attend North Central State in the fall where she will pursue a degree in Social Work. Morgan is now a graduate of Orrville High School and the Wayne County Schools Career Center. She was recognized as a member of National Honor Society and an FFA State Degree recipient.
Jason and Kim Seaman were in attendance of the high school award ceremonies for the recipients, as well as a human resources associate of Seaman Corporation, to celebrate with and pay tribute to Seaman Corporation associates and their graduating seniors.
"It is such an honor to celebrate with our associates as they see their kids recognized for all they have accomplished," said Susan Meade, vice president of human resources. "With each award they were given and every time their name was called, you feel a similar sense of pride."
Each student who was awarded one of the Seaman Family Foundation scholarships possesses a strong work ethic, a demonstrated drive to continue their education, and exemplary extracurricular achievements. They are living examples to what Seaman stands for and how Seaman Corporation was founded.
"This is a great program, and I appreciate the family council supporting it," said CEO Jeff Swartz. "It is another example of how we enable a winning culture within Seaman Corporation."
The Seaman Family Foundation has every intention to continue to invest in future generations of Seaman Corporation, actively promoting and encouraging the prosperity and development of the Wayne County community and the business that was built by Norman Seaman nearly 75 years ago.
About Seaman Corporation
Seaman Corporation was founded in 1949 by Norman Seaman. Seaman Corporation, a manufacturer of industrial coated fabrics, is the world leader for the highest quality and performance fabrics used for roofing, geomembranes, architectural, and recreation applications around the globe. With manufacturing plants in Wooster, Ohio and Bristol, Tennessee, Seaman Corporation employs more than 400 employees companywide. Seaman Corporation is a Veteran owned USA manufacturing-based company.
