Meet Melissa Grenier and Shannon McNichols, Winners of the 2011 Richard N. Brown Memorial Scholarships

(National Federation of Federal Employees)

NFFE would like to congratulate Melissa Grenier of Menands, NY and Shannon McNichols of Harrisville, MI on winning this year’s Richard N. Brown Memorial Scholarships! Each will receive $1,000 dollars toward furthering their collegiate education.

Grenier is daughter of NFFE Local 2109 Secretary-Treasurer James Grenier, who works as an electronics technician at the Watervliet Arsenal in Watervliet, NY. Melissa is entering her junior year at Villanova University in Pennsylvania where she majors in chemistry. Her goal after graduation is to attend a top medical school and become a physician, a goal that has no doubt been made more attainable with the scholarship.

“In receiving the Richard N. Brown Memorial scholarship my financial burdens have been lightened allowing me to focus on the more important aspects of my college experience – learning and serving others,” said Grenier. “This scholarship will help me further my education as I pursue a degree in chemistry and later continue on to medical school.”

Also winning a scholarship this year was 20-year old Shannon McNichols, daughter of NFFE Local 2086 member Elizabeth McNichols. Elizabeth works as a resource information specialist for the U.S. Forest Service at the Huron-Manistee National Forest, in northern Michigan. Her daughter Shannon is nearing the end of an advanced doctoral program at Ithaca University in New York, where she is studying to become a physical therapist.

“It is truly inspirational to play a small part in the advancement of these gifted young women’s education,” said NFFE National President William R. Dougan. “Rick understood better than anyone the value that educated young people could bring to the labor movement and the world. Their dedication to scholarship and hard work are a testament to Rick’s vision.”

The scholarships, named for late NFFE National President Richard N. Brown, are awarded once each year to qualified NFFE members or children of NFFE members. Applications for the 2012 scholarship competition will be available for download in January. To learn more about the Richard N. Brown Memorial Scholarship, click here.

If you wish to contribute to the Richard N. Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund, click here to donate today. Your contributions will ensure that Rick's legacy of selfless stewardship of federal employees will continue for years to come.