2020 Scholarship

A scholarship is a chance at a brighter future. A scholarship can be the first step to graduation. It can help a student further their education. It can help make dreams come true.

With spiraling college tuition costs, financial aid dollars decreasing, and increasing loan debt, today's students are faced with higher hurdles in pursuing their studies.

Won't you please help us provide financial assistance to a deserving student and build Michael's legacy? You can make a difference. No donation is too small!

Click here to donate!

Your contribution is more than a donation. It's an investment in America's future. It's a vote of confidence in a student.

The all-volunteer nonprofit organization, The Shutterbug Foundation, was created to award at least one scholarship per school year to a deserving Kent State University College of Communications student, as well as provide funds to the Cleveland Clinic, earmarked for brain tumor research.

April, 2019

2019 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

The Shutterbug Foundation is thrilled to announce the 2019 Michael J. Jaminet Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Emily Yonce on April 14, 2019 during the Kent State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony.

Emily is a recent transfer student who graduated from Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Georgia in May 2018. Emily aspires to become a photojournalist for National Geographic and "travel the world to document the lives and cultures of various countries and bring more familiarity of these cultures to the world."

Emily Yonce

March 30, 2018

REMEMBERING RAYMOND JAMINET

The Shutterbug Foundation family sadly mourns the loss of our father, friend, brother and son Raymond Jaminet who was an inspiration to all.

There’s a special corner of the heart
Reserved for Dads alone.
 
A place where childhood memories
Still linger when we’re grown.
 
Where thoughts of love and gratitude
Remain forever strong.

And though our hearts are breaking now,
You're with God where you belong.

The all-volunteer nonprofit organization, The Shutterbug Foundation, was created to award at least one scholarship per school year to a deserving Kent State University College of Communications student, as well as provide funds to the Cleveland Clinic, earmarked for brain tumor research.

April, 2018

2018 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

The Shutterbug Foundation is pleased to announce Madeline Zupko as the 2018 recipient of the annual Michael J. Jaminet Memorial Scholarship at Kent State University's College of Communication.

(L-R) Jean Jaminet, Madeline Zupko

March 30, 2018

REMEMBERING RAYMOND JAMINET

The Shutterbug Foundation family sadly mourns the loss of our father, friend, brother and son Raymond Jaminet who was an inspiration to all.

There’s a special corner of the heart
Reserved for Dads alone.
 
A place where childhood memories
Still linger when we’re grown.
 
Where thoughts of love and gratitude
Remain forever strong.

And though our hearts are breaking now,
You're with God where you belong.

The all-volunteer nonprofit organization, The Shutterbug Foundation, was created to award at least one scholarship per school year to a deserving Kent State University College of Communications student, as well as provide funds to the Cleveland Clinic, earmarked for brain tumor research.

April, 2017

2017 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

The Shutterbug Foundation is pleased to announce Logan Lutton and Madeline Zupko as the 2017 recipients of the annual Michael J. Jaminet Memorial Scholarship at Kent State University's College of Communication.

(L-R) Raymond Jaminet, Madeline Zupko, Logan Lutton, Thor Wasbotten

April, 2016

2016 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

The Shutterbug Foundation is pleased to announce Aaron Self and Paige Verma as the 2016 recipients of the annual Michael J. Jaminet Memorial Scholarship at Kent State University's College of Communication.

(L-R) Aaron Self, Michelle Jaminet, Paige Verma, Raymond Jaminet

April, 2015

2015 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

The Shutterbug Foundation is pleased to announce Andrea Noall as the 2015 recipients of the annual Michael J. Jaminet Memorial Scholarship at Kent State University's College of Communication.

(L-R) Jennifer Nielson, Raymond Jaminet, Andrea Noall, Michelle Jaminet

April, 2014

2014 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

The Shutterbug Foundation is pleased to announce Leah Klafczynski as the 2014 recipient of the annual Michael J. Jaminet Memorial Scholarship at Kent State University's College of Communication.

(L-R) Raymond Jaminet, Leah Klafczynski, Jennifer Nielson

April 23, 2012

2012 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

Sam Verbulecz

The Shutterbug Foundation is pleased to announce Sam Verbulecz as the 2012 recipient of the annual Michael J. Jaminet Memorial Scholarship at Kent State University's College of Communication. Sam is majoring in photojournalism and on track to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in December 2012.

"It was truly our honor to present this scholarship to Sam," said Raymond Jaminet, Michael's father. "It's good to know we are helping to assist another student advance his education who shared Michael's interest in photography. I think Michael would proud of the legacy he's leaving here at his alma mater."

Sam has photographed for the Daily Kent Stater, Artemis Magazine, the Fairlawn-Bath Patch and works as an intern at Nobel Images Portrait Studio. "I am truly appreciative for the recognition and support of The Shutterbug Foundation," said Sam. "A photograph can communicate ideas and emotions that no other medium can. Knowing that what I do with my camera can spread ideas in such a profound way, and that I can use that to make a difference is the most rewarding feeling I can imagine." Sam was also the recipient of the Joseph Saxton Gallery Curator's Choice Award in 2010.

To view some of Sam's work visit his website at samvphoto.wordpress.com.

Update: Sam is happily engaged to Karen Smearsoll with an upcoming wedding in June 2014!

The all-volunteer nonprofit organization, The Shutterbug Foundation, was created to award at least one scholarship per school year to a deserving Kent State University College of Communications student, as well as provide funds to the Cleveland Clinic, earmarked for brain tumor research.

April 3, 2011

MICHAEL J. JAMINET MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER ANNOUNCED

Jennifer Nielson, Kate Sumpter

KENT, OH - Kathryn (Kate) Sumpter, an award-winning junior photojournalism major, was the first-ever recipient of the Michael J. Jaminet Memorial Scholarship at Kent State University provided by The Shutterbug Foundation.

In her third year at the KSU College of Communications, Kathryn is originally from Cincinnati and has been recognized numerous times in Creative Quarterly magazine for outstanding photography. She originally discovered her passion for photography during her junior year of high school where she was focusing in art and in the marching band.

On-hand for the presentation at the Kent State Foundation spring breakfast was Jennifer Nielson, Secretary/Treasurer of The Shutterbug Foundation and sister of Michael Jaminet.

Congratuations, Kate! To learn more about her photography experience, visit the Kate Sumpter Photography page.

The all-volunteer nonprofit organization, The Shutterbug Foundation, was created to award at least one scholarship per school year to a deserving Kent State University College of Communications student, as well as provide funds to the Cleveland Clinic, earmarked for brain tumor research.

September 17, 2010

SHUTTERBUG FOUNDATION ESTABLISHES MICHAEL J. JAMINET SCHOLARSHIP AT KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

KENT, OH - The Shutterbug Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors presented a check to Dr. Stanley Wearden, Dean of the College of Communications and Information at Kent State University today to establish the annual Michael J. Jaminet Memorial Scholarship for aspiring photography students.

(L-R) Michelle Jaminet, Dean Wearden, Raymond Jaminet,
Susan Jaminet, Jennifer Nielson

"We are so very pleased that The Shutterbug Foundation has chosen to provide a scholarship to a deserving photography student in the College of Communications and Information in honor of the late Michael J. Jaminet. It is a generous testament to his life and passion for photography, and we are happy to know that one of our students will be able to carry forward the memory of that passion," said Dr. Wearden.

The Shutterbug Foundation launched a six-month fundraising campaign with all proceeds earmarked for the Michael J. Jaminet Scholarship. To ensure 100% of all donations went to fund the Scholarship, several corporate sponsors, including Grand Bank of Florida, Onshore Construction & Development and Paul Reekie Web Design were secured to cover any costs associated with the fundraiser. Future events are also planned in which funds will be allocated for research at The Cleveland Clinic where Michael Jaminet received treatments and participated in clinical trials to treat brain tumors.

"By establishing this annual scholarship in our brother's name, we will impact the future of students and the university for years to come. We hope to provide equipment and supplies for aspiring young photographers who might not otherwise be able to afford to fulfill their aspirations," commented Michelle Jaminet, President of The Shutterbug Foundation.