Mortuary Science Program Receives Major Gift

The Mortuary Science program at CCBC Catonsville is the beneficiary of an unexpected gift - $50,000 from Bernard C. Ruck, Sr., retired president of Ruck Funeral Homes, who died in October 2001.

In his will, Ruck designated $50,000 of his estate to go toward both full and partial academic tuition scholarships for degree candidates in the Mortuary Science program. The funds will provide a continuing source of earnings for the funding of tuition on a long-term basis for degree candidates who would otherwise not be able to attend the program due to financial constraints.

Bernard Ruck was instrumental in bringing the Mortuary Science program to the Catonsville campus through his work as president of the Maryland State Funeral Directors Association in 1972. During that time, he brought the professional organizations together and formed a committee comprised of the Maryland State Funeral Directors Association, the Funeral Directors and Morticians Association and the Maryland State Board of Morticians, which did much of the legwork needed to get the program off and running. More than 30 years later, the program continues to be successful, with students consistently receiving above-average scores on the National Board Examination. The most recent graduates had a pass rate of 100 percent on exams given in January and June of 2002.

Members of the Ruck family, Michael Ruck Sr. and Michael Ruck Jr., presented the check to the Catonsville Community College Foundation and CCBC Catonsville Mortuary Science program department chair William Gonce. Gonce, who has been with the program since its inception, said there is a dire need for morticians and he hopes that students will take advantage of this generous gift. "We can't graduate enough students to meet the need," said Gonce. "With this gift, we know that money is available for students who are interested in enrolling in the program. It's a career track that can lead to both personal and financial fulfillment."

When asked how he hoped the money would impact the program, Michael Ruck Sr. said he hopes that the funds bequeathed by his uncle will provide opportunities for more people to choose Mortuary Science as a profession as well as ease some of the financial burden for students. "The profession is always in need of experienced, well-qualified people," said Ruck Sr. "The Mortuary Science program is rigorous and takes a great time commitment. Many students are juggling school, an internship and family responsibilities. The Ruck family hopes the scholarship money makes the road a little less stressful for someone enrolled in the program - at least from a financial perspective."

To this day the Ruck family continues to support the Mortuary Science program at CCBC Catonsville. They provide internships for the students and have employed several of the graduates. They currently employ 15 morticians who completed the CCBC Catonsville program and continue to offer internships and hire graduates.

Donations to support programs and projects at CCBC Catonsville can be made directly to the Catonsville Community College Foundation by calling 443-840-4467. For information regarding Mortuary Science scholarships, call the Financial Aid Office at 443-840-4706.