The Peter G. Ruppert Scholarship

The Peter G. Ruppert Scholarship Fund was established in 2023 by the Armed Forces Thanksgiving non-profit organization to remember Pete and his commitment to the Armed Forces and all those who have given their lives to serve. At the time of Pete’s passing, memorial contributions were made to a local organization called the Armed Forces Thanksgiving. In conjunction with their mission, a portion of the funds were gifted to EGRSF to create an annual scholarship for an East Grand Rapids High School senior who intends to give of his/her life to the military.

About Pete
11/20/1963 - 8/1/2023
Peter Gerard Ruppert, 59, passed away unexpectedly on August 1, 2023. Pete was born in Oakland, California to the late Maureen and Jack Ruppert, and raised in a rather lively household with five other siblings. Pete was the beloved husband of Jessica Lumsden, his loving teammate and partner for over 30 years. Pete and Jess raised four children in East Grand Rapids, Michigan: Jack, Grace, Pierce, and Ben. While busy in his professional life, Pete always took the time to invest in all of his kids, challenging them in constructive ways to think big, set goals, and live life to the fullest. For the many friends, associates, and family who had the privilege of knowing Pete, attempting to summarize Pete's positive impact on those that he touched is beyond words. With deep humility and grace, Pete left his mark on this world in countless ways. A big believer in Teddy Roosevelt's famous "Man in the Arena" quote, he made a conscious choice to be "in the game" in whatever he pursued. If he was involved, he was going to be fully committed.

Pete founded and built successful businesses, playing an out-front leadership role in all of them. At the time of his passing, he was the founder/CEO of Fusion Education Group, an innovative education company launched in 2007 focused on the individualized needs of the student. In addition to his work, Pete was the author of "Limitless: Nine Steps to Launch Your One Extraordinary Life". He also co-founded "Armed Forces Thanksgiving", an annual celebration event that raises money for military veterans throughout Western Michigan.

"The Man in the Arena"
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt

About the Scholarship

The scholarship will be given annually to one or more graduating seniors in the East Grand Rapids Public Schools to be used for post-secondary military education opportunities.  The recipient(s) will be recognized at the EGRPS Senior Honors Assembly in May each year.

This scholarship is inclusive in all aspects and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or religion.

Criteria and Considerations. 

The scholarship will be awarded annually to one or more graduating seniors who has chosen to explore the armed forces or an arm of military education options including: ROTC, National Guard, full-time enlistment in the Marines, Army, Airforce/Space Force, Navy, or Coast Guard, any Military Academy or Military Reserves. This student should also exhibit many of the following qualities or attributes that were so important to Pete:

• A student who embodies a vision to think big
• A student who sets goals
• A student who lives life to the fullest
• A student who is “in the game” and fully committed to whatever they might pursue

The amount of the scholarship once the fund is fully funded will generally be one thousand dollars ($1,000) or up to the annual distribution as described below. The check will be written to the award winner and/or the military education institution to cover costs incurred with the educational opportunity. The amount available could be split between multiple recipients if more than one student meets the criteria.

The East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation’s Executive Director, and representatives from EGRHS, including an administrator and guidance counselor will review the nominations and select from those nominees at an agreed upon selection meeting prior to the honors assembly for seniors.  Nominations can be made by EGRPS staff or students.

The deadline for nominations is March 1.