ST. LOUIS -- Twenty-six area students have been chosen to receive college scholarships for the 2008-2009 school year from the UniGroup, Inc. Scholarship Foundation. The awards were announced by UniGroup President Richard H. McClure.

The Foundation provides college tuition assistance to children of full-time employees of the Fenton, Mo.-based transportation and relocation services company or one of its operating companies, including household goods movers United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit; Vanliner Insurance Co., a provider of specialized insurance coverages for movers; Trans Advantage, Inc., a seller and leaser of vehicles and movers’ equipment; SAM (Store and Move), a portable moving and storage company; and UniGroup Worldwide, a global management company. Scholarship applications are reviewed and awards made by an outside panel of individuals unrelated to and independent of the Foundation, UniGroup, the UniGroup companies and their employees.

As a result of fundraisers held by UniGroup employees during the year as well as individual and corporate donations, 20 students will each receive a $2,500 scholarship award to be used for studies at an accredited college or university during the coming academic year.

In addition, a special $5,000 scholarship is presented in memory of the late Clyde Springer of Memphis, Tenn., a longtime UniGroup/United Van Lines Board member and treasurer of the corporation from 1985 to 1998. This year’s recipient of the Clyde Springer Scholarship is Kayla Voege, daughter of Tammy and Jeffrey Voege. Kayla graduated from Fox High School, and is majoring in speech-language pathology at Fontbonne University. Her family resides in Fenton, Mo. (63026).

Another special $5,000 scholarship is presented to honor Gerry Stadler, a UniGroup/United Van Lines Board member for 30 years and chairman of the UniGroup Board for six years. This year’s recipient is Miles Henke, son of Donna Henke. Miles graduated from Pattonville High School and is majoring in aerospace engineering at Missouri University of Science & Technology. His family resides in Maryland Heights, Mo. (63043).

Another special $5,000 scholarship is presented to honor Maurice Greenblatt, a UniGroup/United Van Lines Board member from 1969 to 2001 and Chairman of the UniGroup Board for 17 years. This year’s recipient is Sarah Spradling, daughter of Jan Davis and Michael Spradling. Sarah graduated from Columbia High School and is majoring in biology (pre-med) and psychology at Truman State University.

Another special $5,000 scholarship is presented to honor Bob Baer, the UniGroup president for 25 years. This year’s recipient is Emily Klinkhardt, daughter of Greg and Marie Klinkhardt. Emily graduated from Rockwood Summit High school and is majoring in business at Missouri State University. Her family resides in Fenton, Mo. (63026).

The last special $5,000 scholarship was created as a gift from the UniGroup Board of Directors. This year’s recipient is Jami Kaltenbronn, daughter of Patricia Kissel and John Kaltenbronn. Jami is majoring in nutrition/pre-PA at St. Louis University. Her family resides in St. Louis, Mo. (63128).

This year, a one-time $4,000 special scholarship was created by donations of UniGroup employees in the memory of Tracey Mitsch, a past employee of UniGroup. This year’s recipient is Kalie Somerville, daughter of Deborah Somerville. Kalie graduated from Valley Park High School and is majoring in biology at Missouri State University. Her family resides in Valley Park, Mo. (63088).

The other UniGroup Scholarship Foundation scholarship recipients for the 2008-2009 year are:

• Heather Budde, daughter of Terri and Thomas Budde. Heather is majoring in psychology/sociology at Maryville University. Her family resides in Eureka, Mo. (63025).
• Dawn Dickison, daughter of Joanne and Bill Dickison. Dawn is a graduate of Northwest High School and is attending Missouri State University. Her family resides in Cedar Hill, Mo. (63016).
• Lindsey Douglas, daughter of Marcey Nichols and Warren Douglas. Lindsey graduated from St. Pius X High School and is majoring in psychology/mental health at Jefferson College. Her family resides in De Soto, Mo. (63020).
• Eric Elders, son of Michele and Gary Elders. Eric is majoring in business at SIU - Carbondale. His family resides in St. Genevieve, Mo. (63670).
• Megan Flynn, daughter of Mary Ann and Terrence Flynn. Meagan graduated from Ursuline Academy and is attending Missouri State University. Her family resides in St. Louis, Mo. (63128).
• Cristina Fox, daughter of Karen and Richard Fox. Cristina graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy and is majoring in occupational therapy at the University of Missouri - Columbia. Her family resides in Chesterfield, Mo. (63017).
• David Goettelmann, son of Thomas and Kathleen Goettelmann. David is majoring in business management at Benedictine College. His family resides in St. Louis, Mo. (63123).
• Scott Hacker, son of Vicki and Bill Hacker. Scott graduated from Rockwood Summit High School and is majoring in chemical or ceramic engineering at Missouri University of Science & Technology. His family resides in Fenton, Mo. (63026).
• Garrick Johnson II, son of Angela and Garrick Johnson. Garrick graduated from Hazelwood Central and is majoring in interdisciplinary engineering at Missouri University of Science & Technology. His family resides in St. Louis, Mo. (63031).
• Seth Kehoe, son of Liz and Patrick Kehoe. Seth graduated from St. John Vianney High School and is majoring in physics at University of Missouri - Columbia. His family resides in Fenton, Mo. (63026).
• Jared King, son of Dawn and Arthur King. Jared is a graduate of Hillsboro High School and is majoring in industrial technology at Ranken Technical College. His family resides in Hillsboro, Mo. (63050).
• Christopher Kohler, son of Suzanne and Joe Kohler. Christopher is a graduate of Eureka High School and is majoring in pre-dentistry at Missouri State University. His family resides in Wildwood, Mo. (63040)
• Rebecca Newcombe, daughter of Brenda and Steven Newcombe. Rebecca is majoring in fisheries and wildlife management at University of Missouri - Columbia. Her family resides in Wentzville, Mo. (63385).
• Elmer Pugh, son of Lorrie and Brian Pugh. Elmer is majoring in graphic design at University of St. Francis. His family resides in Columbia City, Ill. (62236).
• Anthony Rodgers, son of Sharon and Leonard Rodgers. Anthony is majoring in music at Truman State University. His family resides in Eureka, Mo. (63025).
• Andrew Simpson, son of Michael and Deanna Simpson. Andrew is a graduate of Parkway South High School and is majoring in pre-accounting at Truman State University. His family resides in Manchester, Mo. (63021).
• Sean Slattery, son of Bruce and Susan Slattery. Sean is a graduate of Rockwood Summit High School and is majoring in mechanical engineering at University of Missouri - Columbia. His family resides in Fenton, Mo. (63026).
• Seanmichael Stanley, son of Jackie and Larry Stanley. Seanmichael is a graduate of Northwest High School and is majoring in pre-pharmacy at University of Missouri - Columbia. His family resides in Fenton, Mo. (63026).
• Ashley Watkins, daughter of Gina and David Watkins. Ashley is majoring in elementary education at Missouri Baptist University. Her family resides in High Ridge, Mo. (63049).
• Kasey Weber, daughter of Jessica (Claims) and Don Weber. Kasey is a graduate of Affton High School and is majoring in creative writing/English at Webster University. Her family resides in St. Louis, Mo. (63123).