Ameritas awards $5,000 Life Lessons scholarship

LINCOLN, Neb., Oct. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In partnership with Life Happens, Ameritas has awarded Damien Duff a $5,000 college scholarship to further his education at Somerset Community College in Somerset, Kentucky, where he is majoring in criminal justice.

The Life Lessons scholarship program is designed to encourage college students and college-bound high school seniors to share their personal experiences regarding the importance of life insurance coverage. Each qualified applicant submitted a 500-word essay or a three-minute video discussing how the death of a parent or guardian has affected their life financially.

Duff lost his mother when he was seven years old. Thinking he wouldn't have to experience the tragedy of losing a parent again, he lost his father at age 10. With no life insurance, his grandparents were left paying for two funerals, and taking on the responsibility of caring for four young children.

"By the time I was 15 years old, my grandfather's health was in serious decline and he had a heart attack followed shortly by a series of strokes," explains Duff. "My grandmother became his caretaker and, at the age of 16, I moved out and got my first job. It was then that I realized if I was going to fulfill my parent's dream of their son going to college, I was going to have to do it on my own."

Duff says he wonders about the "what ifs" of his life, such as what might have been had his parents planned for their children's future.

"With the help of the scholarship, I will know that I am fulfilling their dream of one of their children making a better life for themselves. And then, maybe I can finally wake up from the nightmare that started over eight years ago."

About Life Happens
Life Happens is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers take personal financial responsibility through the ownership of life insurance and related products. The organization does not endorse any product, company, or insurance advisor. Since its inception in 1994, Life Happens has provided the highest quality, independent and objective information for people seeking help with their insurance-buying decisions. The organization supports the insurance industry by providing marketing tools and resources through its Life Happens Pro platform and convening the industry each September for Life Insurance Awareness Month. Life Happens is supported by more than 140 of the nation's leading insurance company and financial services organizations. To learn more, visit lifehappens.org.

About Ameritas^®
Ameritas is a marketing name for Ameritas Mutual Holding Company and its affiliated subsidiary companies, including Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. of New York. Founded in 1887, Ameritas offers a wide range of insurance and financial products and services to individuals, families and businesses. These products and services include life insurance; annuities; individual disability income insurance; group dental, vision and hearing care insurance; and retirement plans. For more information, visit ameritas.com.

Contact:
Derek Rayment, Sr. Media Relations Specialist
Ameritas Life Insurance Corp.
Phone: 402-467-7850
[email protected] 

SOURCE Ameritas