Kathleen Reehil '67, presents the Paul Reehil Endowed Scholarship award to Heidi Konieczka

On Sept. 21 at the 2007 School of Architecture all-school meeting, a very overwhelmed fourth-year Architecture student, Heidi Konieczka, was presented with the second Paul Reehil Endowed Scholarship. Designated for Architecture students based on academic standing, financial need and service to the School of Architecture, the scholarship, in her words, is an amazing blessing.

"I don't know how it is for most students paying for school on their own, but every once in a while something good happens, and it is a complete breath of fresh air with everything else a student has to deal with," she says. "This scholarship was just that, and I am extremely and humbly grateful."

Konieczka, who grew up in Suttons Bay, Michigan, chose UDM long-distance. "I didn't get a chance to visit the School until I came to interview for a scholarship...I got it, so I came," she says. "I chose the School of Architecture because it seemed to be a good balance between physics and art." Konieczka explains that the new scholarship funds will be put towards the remaining balance left over from her previous scholarship, which, she says, "will allow me to finish up what might be my final year at University of Detroit Mercy."

The scholarship fund was created three years ago by family and friends of Paul Reehil '67, '71, to honor the alumnus who passed away in February 2003. Like other endowment funds, once endowment status has been achieved and the funds invested, the income earned from the Reehil scholarship will be continuously utilized to assist students such as Konieczka.

Konieczka enjoyed the opportunity to speak to Reehil's wife, Kathleen '67, before the meeting. "I was fortunate enough to sit down with Kathleen and a group of her friends—including Professor of Architecture John Mueller '76, and Algis Bublys '65. Dean Steve Vogel '70, '75, joined us, as well as last year's recipient, Brittany DesRochers," Konieczka says.  "There were stories told between the UDM alumni about crazy hat parties and Paul's appreciation of a good beer. Kathleen also shared with us the fact that she was the second woman to graduate from the Architectural program at UDM." (For more on Kathleen Reehil, see the alumna profile in this issue of The Nautilus.)
 
Such camaraderie was especially meaningful. "Their stories made me feel like no matter what happens, everything will work out—as long as you keep a few good people with you for support and laughter," says Konieczka. "As Reehil's longtime friend Algis Bublys said in his recollection of Paul, 'Everyone was poor once'."

Meeting Kathleen was truly an honor, according to Konieczka. "She has a kind aura about her, and her honesty clearly moved the audience," Konieczka says. "Her brief description of Paul's caring nature and his affect on those around him painted a clear picture that Paul was not only influential, but most of all a quick-witted, good friend."

Konieczka is quite emotional when she discusses her good fortune. "I still feel completely unworthy that I was chosen to receive this scholarship," she says. "I know that there are many students with financial need, and I am extremely blessed to have been recognized out of so many eligible."