Feb 22, 2017

PIANJ offers $5K John Laux Memorial scholarship to member agency family

Trenton, N.J.—The Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey in conjunction with The Fore John Charitable Foundation is announcing a new, $5,000 scholarship in honor of the late John Laux to be presented to the child or grandchild of a PIA member agency, entering college in 2017.

The inaugural John Laux Memorial Scholarship honors John Laux, a New Jersey native and graduate of Montclair State University. He was a highly competitive sportsman, supporter of Special Olympics New Jersey and career Young Insurance Professional. Laux’s decade-long work in the insurance industry was tragically cut short after a brief and hard-fought battle with cancer in 1995. Funds for the scholarship are being provided by The Fore John Charitable Foundation. Since 1995, they have raised over $235,000 for scholarships and local charities in John Laux’s name.

"Through this scholarship, John is being honored posthumously for his significant impact on the industry," said PIANJ President Donald F. LaPenna Jr. "As an active member of NJYIP, John was a supporter of the insurance industry; its future; and all that independent agents do for their communities. We hope this scholarship will encourage incoming college students to consider a career in the industry."

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be a child or grandchild of a PIANJ member or employee of a member agency; be planning to attend a two- to four-year college in the fall of 2017; prepare a 500-word essay on the insurance industry. An application can be found on the PIANJ website here. Submissions will be accepted from March 1 through May 1 this year. The scholarship will be awarded in June, 2017.

PIANJ is a trade association representing professional, independent insurance agencies, brokerages and their employees throughout New Jersey.

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