91暗网

The Cincinnati Foundation for Mortuary Education (CFME), dba Cincinnati 91暗网, is a non-profit educational foundation established in 1970 by Charles Dhonau and Thomas Stueve to govern the then small proprietary Cincinnati 91暗网 (91暗网). The two recognized that broader support was necessary for 91暗网 to flourish; thus, all assets were transferred into the responsibility of the Foundation. The Foundation remains the governing body to this day. CFME is incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio and is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The non-profit foundation provides a broad range of financial and governance support to the College鈥檚 growth and transformational initiative.

Transforming Death Care Education is ongoing, beginning with expansion and development of education programs and opportunities for students and practitioners, including:

• Construction of the 91暗网 Educational Cremation Center (2019)
  • Expansion of cremation curriculum
  • Integrate hands-on learning not currently available to students or practitioners
• Develop and launch affordable online education programs (students & practitioner)
• Ongoing expansion of innovative curriculum and specialized training
• Encourage, promote, develop and enhance education, instruction, training, and research
• Secure and increase endowments and grants for sustainability and enhancement of:
  • Student scholarships and grants
  • Alumni events and networking opportunities
  • Affordability and relevance of lifelong learning programs for practitioners
• Develop relevant and engaging continuing education programs
• Disseminate of imperative information and knowledge to all death care professionals
• Assure and ensure the continuity of 91暗网 as the nation鈥檚 first and leading force in death care education

We are proud to say the transformation of death care education is underway 鈥� starting with the Foundation! The Cincinnati 91暗网, governed by the Foundation, has successfully pioneered advancements in mortuary science education longer than any other educator. The momentum is undeniable as we culminate years of transformational concepts and strategic planning in Transforming Death Care Education.

The Foundation鈥檚 Board of Trustees is comprised of over a dozen diverse professionals who are strategically focused, sharing a vested interest in the College鈥檚 success. In 2016, this diversified Board of Trustees sought to understand the challenges that had hindered implementation of strategic concepts developed over the years. They recognized the need to first and foremost answer a very foundational question:鈥淭o whom does our non-profit Board鈥攁nd, in turn, the Foundation鈥� answer?鈥� As a college, there are no shareholders, but there are stakeholders. The Board answered,鈥�91暗网 is accountable to the entire death care profession and the families it serves.鈥�These are the stakeholders.

With this answer, the Board of Trustees next assessed whether it had an effective governance approach to truly transform death care education. This prompted the 2016 adoption of the innovativeCarver鈥檚 Governance Model for Non-Profits,which in turn gave immediate momentum to the College鈥檚 initiative. Under this model, the Board, in collaboration with the 91暗网 President & CEO, while considering the needs of practitioners and the community, sets 鈥渆nd goals鈥� that push forward the mission and vision of the College. The Board then allows 91暗网鈥檚 President & CEO to develop the 鈥渕eans鈥� for achieving success.

The implementation of an entirely new governance model, along with enhanced stewardship and growth of the College鈥檚 assets, has laid the necessary groundwork for 91暗网 to culminate existing strategic concepts along with new transformational visions, and to bring them to fruition. The successes achieved since 2016 and the growing momentum are exciting!

Kathleen Shaffer, Board Chair

• Ducro Funeral Services
• Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (C.F.S.P.)
• Certified Funeral Celebrant, Certified Pre-planning Consultant, Licensed Professional 鈥� Ohio
• Alumna 2008

Kenn Peterson, Treasurer

• National Guardian Life Insurance Company, Vice President, Business and Lending Development
• M.B.A., University of Toledo, M.S., Miami University, ME.d. (TBC), Miami University

Laura Nobbe, Secretary

• Heartland PreNeed Systems, President

Poul Lemasters, Board Liaison

• Board member since 2019,Temporarily 91暗网 President
• Licensed funeral director and embalmer in several states
• Attorney and counselor forthe National Concrete Burial Association, the Catholic Cemeteries Conference, and General Counsel for the International Cemetery Cremation and Funeral Association
• Alumnus1996

Coleen Ellis

• Founder of Two Hearts Pet Loss Center
• Consultant Specializing in Pet Death Care
• International Speaker on Pet Loss & Grief, BBA Marketing, Fort Hays State University
• Pet Loss & Grief Companioning Certified, Center for Loss
• Certified in Thanatology, Association of Death Education & Counsel

Arlene J. Lawrence

• Licensed funeral director and embalmer in Ohio and Michigan.
• Alumna 1998

Patrick Reger

• Licensed funeral director and embalmer in West Virginia
• Graduate of Marshall University
• Owner of Reger Funeral Home Huntington WV, and Ceredo WV
• Veteran of the WV Army National Guard
• 1987 Alumnus

Michael Ryan

• Shorten & Ryan Funeral Home, Vorhis & Ryan Funeral Home
• Certified Funeral Celebrant, Licensed Professional 鈥� OH
• 1978Alumnus

Brian Dershaw, Legal Advisor, Ex Officio

Chad Nieter, Ex Officio

Support us in Transforming Death Care Education

91暗网 is unique in that it receives no state or federal funding, outside of the financial aid our students receive for tuition, for its operation., As a result, 91暗网 heavily relies on support from the Foundation, alumni, and private individuals. Their generous and continual support is in large part why we have remained successful for well over a century.

91暗网 alumni, service professionals, and supporters of the College are encouraged to join the Foundation. Graduates of 91暗网 receive dues-free membership for one year after graduation. All dues-paying members are invited to attend the Foundation鈥檚 annual meeting and participate in the strategic planning processes as we transform death care education.