Spring Scholarship Nominations

This award was established in the honor and memory of Brebeuf Jesuit alumna, Ellen Foster ‘81, who passed away in 1995. This award is presented to a student who displays the qualities that made Ellen Foster such a well-loved member of the Brebeuf Jesuit community, and a leader among her peers. Characteristics of an Ellen Foster Memorial Scholarship recipient include: current junior student (Class of 2027 graduate); current or past varsity athlete; 3.3+ GPA (Scholarship Committee will verify); joyful inspiration to others; unassuming attitude; courageous, independent spirit; clear-sighted with compassion and integrity; has an intense love for, and is a friend to all of God’s creation.

Matthew “Gerdy” Gerdisch was a quiet place for many people. Curious and unassuming, Matthew accepted everyone he met into his life so he could explore and cultivate their eccentricities. Exceptionally emotionally honest, Matthew made instantly meaningful connections with people. Generously vulnerable, Matthew offered his friends the safety to represent themselves authentically. An avid collector, Matthew was accustomed to leaving nothing behind, and continued to communicate with friends regardless of distance or time. None of his friends ever felt left out or unheard. This unique combination of qualities culminated in a person who provided an immediate sense of togetherness when anyone was with him. Matthew was a sounding board, a quiet place, and a friendly support for a diverse group of people largely knit together by Matthew’s friendship. Current junior students (Class of 2027 graduates) are eligible for the Gerdy Grant.

This award was created to honor the memory of Bart McCormick ’92, who passed away while in college. This award is given to a student possessing the qualities that made Bart such a unique member of the Brebeuf Jesuit family and the embodiment of the Brebeuf Jesuit motto, “Men and Women for Others.” The characteristics of a McCormick Scholarship recipient include: current male junior student (Class of 2027 graduate); charismatic leadership, personal initiative, inner strength, and ceaseless determination; compassion, integrity, maturity, and intellectual yearning; selflessness, and the ability to inspire and serve as an example for others.

This award was created to honor the memory of Tim Boldt ’98, who passed away during his senior year at Brebeuf Jesuit. Consideration will be given to a student who exhibits the qualities that made Tim such a special member of the Brebeuf community. Scholarship recipients must display the following characteristics: current senior student (Class of 2026 graduate); fun-loving, gentle, charismatic personality that draws people together; a love of music; an enjoyment of learning and reading for fun outside of class; tolerance for the views of others; ability to bring out the good in others and make them feel special.

Chris James graduated from Brebeuf Jesuit in 1989 and passed away in 1994. Chris enjoyed his time at Brebeuf Jesuit and was involved in campus life. Kairos was an especially impactful experience for Chris. He was an Air Force Veteran and was working on his pilot’s license. The family of Chris wanted to honor his memory and spirit for life with an annual scholarship award. Chris was a lover of life. He was a loyal friend to all who knew him and even through a break-up he managed to remain friends. He was hard working, self-motivated, loved his family, possessed a “big personality” and was often seen as the life of the party. Chris loved to fish, the Indy 500, spending time with his family and loved a good practical joke. This combination of characteristics culminated in a person who was loved by all who knew him and was a friend to everyone. Please use 500 words or less to describe a Brebeuf Jesuit student at junior class standing who possesses similar characteristics and would be worthy of this award.

After moving back to Indianapolis from Atlanta, Jodie was excited to have Jack accepted as a member of the Brebeuf Jesuit class of 2023. After spending eight years as members of St. Thomas More, the Jesuit parish in the Atlanta Diocese, she wanted to continue his education in the Jesuit tradition of a quality education in a Catholic environment. But what she experienced at Brebeuf was so much more than she expected. Jodie loved all aspects of the Brebeuf community, but two aspects especially stood out. First, as a Jesuit school, she loved the Catholic tradition of a Jesuit school. She loved being at school when the “Examen” was prayed. She loved attending Mass on campus and the fact that the Jesuit priests and brothers were very present at the school and in the students’ lives. The second aspect she fell in love with was the spirit that the community showed during the 2022 football season. In what was her last year, she treasured and enjoyed all the excitement and spirit that the Brebeuf community showed during the run for the state championship.In establishing this scholarship, we are looking to honor an incoming Senior who embraces these two aspects: their Catholic faith and their overall school spirit.