Ivy Tech mortuary science is proud to announce the Class of 2006 award recipients. Awards were established by the generosity of mortuary science advisory committee members and local funeral home professionals. James F. Burns of the Burns Funeral Homes and Crematory and advisory chair, was on hand to administer the awards.

Adjunct professor Elden LaHayne, advisory committee chair James F. Burns, four award recipient and graduate Scott A. Burdan, and Scott's proud father William E. Burdan

The following graduates who were awarded the distinguished awards are: Scott A. Burdan of Burdan Funeral Home, Cedar Lake, IN earned the highest grade average in four award categories: The LaHayne Funeral Home Mortuary Law Award, The Calumet Park Funeral Chapel and Cemetery Restorative Art Award, The Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Funeral Management Award, and The Schroeder – Lauer Funeral Home Embalming Award.

Indiana State Senator and co-owner of Divinity Funeral Home, East Chicago, IN, Senator Sam Smith; advisory committee chair, James F. Burns; Class of 2005 recipient and graduate John Phillips; advisory committee representative William E. Burdan; and co-owner of Divinity Funeral Home Diane Smith.

The Class of 2005 Award, John Phillips an associate with Divinity Funeral Home; The Robert L. Burdan, Burdan Funeral Home Pathology in Funeral Service Award, James Boilek and associate with Schroeder – Lauer Funeral Home, Lansing, IL; The Rick Soria, Mortuary Science Program Chair Excellence in Funeral Service Award, Norbert J. Schlesser an associate with Schroeder – Lauer Funeral Home; and The Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Anatomy and Physiology I and II Award, James Boilek and associate with Schroeder – Lauer Funeral Home, Lansing, IL and Tammy Vogel an associate with Calumet Park Funeral Chapel and Cemetery, Merrillville, IN. ">

In addition, The Chancellor Award was awarded to Kimberly A. Jones, an associate with Calumet Park Funeral Chapel and Cemetery at the graduation ceremony.