2021 GBU Foundation Grants

October 19, 2021

Alexej S. Banjak

District 4000-Sokol USA

Computer Science

Unknown College


James J. Benke

District 646-Coraopolis, PA

Chemical Engineering

Unknown College

 

Hailey A. Biehl

District 2000-ULS

 Psychology

Kent State University


Joshua Bierlein

District 699-Frankenmuth, MI

Early Childhood Education

Western Michigan University


Jonathan R. Bodenschatz

District 291-Summerhill, PA

Pennsylvania State University


Jeri L. Brooks

District 815-Dayton, OH

Psychology

Florida State University


Chloe M. Brzozowski

District 815-Dayton, OH

Theatre Design & Technology

University of Evansville


Andrew T. Chwalik

District 999-National

Elementary Education/Special Education

Mount Saint Mary’s University


Jenna J. Corey

District 630-Ann Arbor, MI

Biomedical Science


Olivia A. Davis

District 2000-ULS

Environmental Engineering

 

Grace A. Dietrich

District 999-National

Athletic Training

Duquesne University


Blaine A. Drews

District 630-Ann Arbor, MI

Unknown

Michigan State University

 

Jacob R. Dubendorfer

District 510-Toledo, OH

Unknown Major

Unknown College


Lisa Jo Fanelli-Greer

District 999, National

Unknown

Evangelical Seminary

 

Nicole D. Faulhaber

District 999-National

Marketing/Business

University of Akron


Benjamin M. Ferrara

District 2000-ULS

Computer Science

University of Colorado-Colorado Springs


Haylee A. Fleishman

District 3000-HRFA

Middle-Level Education (Math & English)

Slippery Rock University


Jacob P. Flynn-Long

District 291-Summerhill, PA

Computer Engineering

Unknown College

 

Gabrielle E. Franklin

District 999-National

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Clarion University/

Great Lakes Institute of Technology


Riley F. Franklin

District 999-National

Finance

St. Bonaventure University

 

Alyson B. Gonzalez

District 999-National

Unknown Major

Unknown College

 

Tinley R. Hathaway

District 2000-ULS

Microbiology

Unknown College






Shane P. Keefer

District 684-Pitsburgh, PA

Mechanical Engineering

Robert Morris University


Noah W. King

District 999-National

Unknown Major

Pennsylvania State University


Eric L. Klaber

District 999-National

Communications

Unknown College

 

Jacob Klein

District 2000-ULS

Engineering

University of Florida

 

Karl C. Larson

District 3000-HRFA

Unknown Major

Unknown College

 

Rachel D. Loftus

District 999-National

Criminal Justice

Southern Illinois University of Evansville

 

Lauren E. Mahler

District 510-Toledo, OH

Medical Laboratory Science

Unknown College


Lincoln H. Martin

District 999-National

Safety Management

Community College of Beaver County


Emily B. McCullough

District 999-National

Creative Writing

Bob Jones University


Grace E. Mischak

District 3000-HRFA

Political Science/Law

Unknown College

 

Nicole M. Mischak

District 3000-HRFA

Integrative Biology

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign


Joshua R. Micknowski

District 999-National

Unknown Major

Indiana University of Pennsylvania


Christian J. Peek

District 815-Dayton, OH

Business

Bowling Green State University


Matthew S. Pracko

District 4000-Sokol USA

Aviation Flight Technology

Lewis University


Emily C. Pranskevicius

District 4000-Sokol USA

Chemistry

Illinois State University


Rachel A. Redinger

District 684-Pittsburgh, PA

Public & Applied History

Waynesburg University


Sophia R. Shannon

District 4000-Sokol USA

Pre-Professional Animal Science

Delaware Valley University


Maren E. Steinbugl

District 45-Altoona, PA

Unknown Major

Unknown College


Benjamin W. Tarkanyi

District 3000-HRFA

Unknown Major

Unknown college


Victoria L. Tunney

District 999-National

Nursing

University of Rhode Island


Nicole L.F. Tye

District 510-Toledo, OH

Finance

Bowling Green State University





Clark V. Visca

District 2000-ULS

Business

University of Utah


Rebekah E. Vishanoff

District 298-Allentown, PA

Elementary Education

Grand Canyon University


Madison B. Walters

District 999-National

Unknown Major

University of Wisconsin


James R. Wharton

District 45-Altoona, PA

Unknown Major

Saint Francis University


Stephen J. Wilhelm

District 2000-ULS

Sports Management

Unknown College


Brendan M. Witt

District 510-Toledo, OH

Finance

Unknown College


Jarred M. Wulf

District 510-Toledo, OH

Environmental Science

Bowling Green State University


Molly C. Yatchyshyn

District 4000-Sokol USA

Graphic Design/Marketing

 

Caroline M. Young

District 4000-Sokol USA

English & International Business

Monmouth College


Ericka P. Zeigler

District 3000-HRFA

Criminal Justice

Unknown college

Optimity: Life Insurance Awareness Month

August 31, 2026
September marks National Life Insurance Awareness month and GBU Life is partnering with Optimity to bring our members a financial wellness check-in.

Happy 100th Anniversaries District 684 & District 699

By Mary Koczan and Laqueeta Coleman • August 28, 2026
District 684 Brentwood, Pennsylvania and District 699 Frankenmuth, Michigan

District 821 Memorial: Marianne Krenzer

August 26, 2026
A Life Dedicated to Heritage, Fellowship, and Service

GBU Life Scholarship Awards: Where Are They Now?

August 24, 2026
The GBU Life Scholarship Awards support students in college, trade programs, non-college programs, and graduate school, helping them achieve their dreams, setting them on a career path and realizing life goals. Since its founding, the GBU Foundation has awarded 4,500 scholarships and educational grants totaling more than $3.2 million. In 2025, 215 members received $226,000 to support their two‑year, four‑year and graduate studies. Here’s a look at where the rubber meets the road — as we check in on past grantees to see how their scholarship awards have helped them stay on course, where they are now, and where they hope to be in the future.

Birthday Bash: Continuing the Celebration

August 17, 2026
To celebrate our 134th anniversary, GBU Life launched the Birthday Bash initiative, calling upon the GBU Life community to honor our fraternal legacy through service. GBU Life invited members, producers, and community leaders to assemble and deliver shelf-stable cake kits for individuals and families who may otherwise go without a birthday celebration. What can seem like a simple act of service could be the spark of hope someone needed.

LawAssure’s New Feature: “Ask A Legal Question”

August 13, 2026
GBU Life is expanding the power of your member benefits with an enhancement to LawAssure, the easy‑to‑use online service that helps you prepare essential legal documents from home.

Empathy Benefit: After a Loss No One Prepared You For

August 11, 2026
A guide for navigating miscarriage, stillbirth, and the grief that follows.

Picnic-Perfect Chicken Orzo Salad Recipe

July 30, 2026
There’s something about summer that makes even the simplest meal feel like a celebration.

Beat Summer Boredom with Our Give Back Group Benefit

July 27, 2026
Summer vacation is an exciting time packed with trips, camps, and sports, but we’ve all reached that point where we hear those dreaded words: “I’m bored!” With GBU Life’s Give Back Group benefit, you can keep your family busy while helping others without the pressure of covering project costs.

The Golden Hour Photo Contest

July 23, 2026
It is time, once again, for the GBU Life annual summer photo contest! Send us your favorite photo that depicts the contest theme, The Golden Hour.