William Hegarty Scholarship

Grand Rapids Chief of Police: 1982-1997
Award: Up to $1,000

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:

• 2021/22 - Hallie Ruegsegger
• 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

Mullendore Legal Studies and Criminal Justice Scholarship
James & Kristine Mullendore
Award: Varies; Renewable

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:

• 2025/26 - Cassidy Burkett | Colin Kachlic | Sarah Mildenberg | Monae Elizabeth Pettigrew | Tara Pleckham
• 2024/25 - Grace Loftus | Eva Markey
• 2023/24 - Sophia Bates | Samantha Craig | Madison Kelley
• 2022/23 - Jeremy Wahr | Sophia Bates
• 2021/22 - Mikayla Mullett | Kyra Strick | Noah Roberts | James Fitzgerald | Emily Lafata | Shireen Salam
• 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 

Scott A. Flahive Police Academy Scholarship
Officer Scott Flahive: Died in the line of duty on December 13, 1994
Award: $1,000

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: 

• 2025/26 - Hoang Tran
• 2024/25 - Daniel Plaisier | Kayla Walter
• 2023/24 - Breonna VanVleet | Owen Runciman
• 2022/23 - Kelsey Oberer | Lauren Fredrick
• 2021/22 - Amanda Harig | Taylor Dibble
• 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

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.