Events > The Clarence W. Seavers Citizenship Celebration & Scholarship

The Clarence W. Seavers Citizenship Celebration & Scholarship

Born August 15, 1919, in Sandusky, Clarence W. Seavers was one of Erie County’s heroes and treasures.  He was a 1937 graduate of Sandusky High School and attended Firelands College/BGSU for one year.  Clarence served our community in various capacities stretching back six decades.  

Clarence was the first African-American postal clerk for the Sandusky Post Office, where he worked for 28 years. A World War II veteran, he served in the U.S. Army Aviation Engineers.  He was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame for his service with the 811th Aviation Engineering Battalion, 1941-1945, building airfields in the Pacific Theatre.  Clarence was a long-time member of St. Stephens A.M.E. Church, where he was active in the Trustee Helpers Club. He served on many Boards including the Erie County Board of Elections for thirty-five years, Erie County Health Department, Firelands Regional Medical Center, Stein Hospice Service, YMCA, Goodwill Industries, Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts and Erie Huron Community Action Commission. He was also a Trustee of the former Providence Hospital Board, life member of the N.A.A.C.P., and was a retired licensed umpire for the Sandusky Babe Ruth League.

The Erie County Democratic Party honored Clarence – also known as ‘Mr. Democrat’ – for his lifetime achievements at a reception and dinner held at Plum Brook Country Club on Friday, February 23, 2007.  The award was presented by Ohio’s newly elected Governor Ted Strickland.  Clarence was well known by all elected officeholders not only in the Sandusky and Erie County areas, but also by those serving in Columbus, throughout the State of Ohio and in Washington D.C.

After a brief illness, Clarence passed away in the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 1, 2008.  The Clarence W. Seavers Citizenship Award celebrates local citizens’ achievements who have served our community tirelessly and unselfishly and who have been trailblazers – just like Clarence.

The Clarence W. Seavers Citizenship Scholarship Fund is available to those students continuing their education in the fields of computer or political sciences.  The Sandusky/Erie County Community Foundation manages the scholarship.  Contributions may be made to:  Sandusky/Erie County Community Foundation, 135 East Washington Row, Sandusky, OH 44870.                                                            

HONOREES OF
THE CLARENCE W. SEAVERS CITIZENSHIP CELEBRATION

2007

Clarence W. Seavers

2008

Judge Jane B. Lucal

2009

Frederick H. Deering
J. Philip Gasteier
John W. Schaeffer
William P. Scheid
John C. Scherer
John E. Magnuson

2010

Thomas E. Darden
George L. Mylander
Leroy E. Sizemore, Jr.

2011

Mona Rutger
Gilbert D. Steinen, Jr.
Dr. John Wasylik


RECIPIENTS OF
THE CLARENCE W. SEAVERS SCHOLARSHIP

For current graduating high school seniors and non-traditional students of any Erie County high school pursuing a degree in political science or computer technology. 

Eligibility criteria: Preference shall be given to students with minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrated qualities of leadership, spirituality, and commitment to community service. Financial need is not a consideration. Recipients must enroll full-time in an accredited university or community college. Award may be renewed for a second, third or fourth year at the discretion of the Scholarship Advisory Committee.  For example: A student selected in one year will be eligible for renewing scholarship for an additional three years.  The intent is to provide one student the scholarship for four years - if s/he remains eligible and apply. Amount of scholarship varies year to year.

For scholarship information and online scholarship portal, please visit here.

If any questions, please contact the Erie County Community Foundation:

2008
Jeanelle S. Alexander
Sandusky High School

2009
Robert Tomczyk
Huron High School

2010
Jacob Kiley
Edison High School

2011
Andrea Gillespie
Huron High School

2012
Stephanie Conkey
Perkins High School

2013
Alex Millis
Sandusky High School

2014
Reid Roshong
Huron High School

2015
Angela Baumgardner
Perkins High School

2016
Anya Czerwinski
Sandusky High school

2016
Angela Baumgardner
Perkins High School

2017
Matthew Carroll
Huron High School

2017
Ny'Asia Newell
Sandusky High School

2018
Matthew Carroll
Huron High School

2019
Matthew Carroll
Huron High School

2020
Matthew Carroll
Huron High School