Charles Erick Ekelund Memorial Scholarship
Charles Erick Ekelund
1956-1982
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Charlie Ekelund was a Past Master Councilor of Galveston Chapter Order of DeMolay, and did a wonderful job portraying Jacques DeMolay in the DeMolay Degree. He was the grandson of Oscar T. Ekelund, Sr., a Past Master of Waco Lodge No. 92 A.F. & A.M. (1945-1946). He was the son of Oscar T. Ekelund, Jr., member of Tucker Lodge No. 297 A.F. & A.M. in Galveston, and one of the most beloved Galveston Police Officers in the history of that city. In his early Scouting experience, he was in Cub Scout Pack 101 Galveston with future Brother DeMolay Louis Herrin III. Later at Ball High School (BHS), he played saxophone, including the special groups of BHS Band “Variations,” and Stage Band. He was also a member of the BHS Key Club. At the start of his junior year, he was elected Junior Councilor of Galveston Chapter, going on to later become Master Councilor. He graduated from BHS in 1974, and began attending Sam Houston State University (SHSU) in Huntsville that fall. The next spring, he gave the benediction at his sister’s installation as Worthy Advisor of Galveston Rainbow Assembly No. 9. He graduated from SHSU in 1978. He came home and entered the Galveston County Sherriff’s Academy, graduating in September 1979. He became a master mason in Tucker Lodge, and was installed as Junior Steward of that Lodge in June of 1980. He also became a member of the Galveston Chapter DeMolay Advisory Council. In 1981, he was installed as Junior Deacon, and was serving as such when he passed away in early 1982.
Program History & Goals
A scholarship fund for future members of John Wayne Chapter No. 3667 Order of DeMolay, was established by a vote of the Advisory Council in the summer of 2019. At that time, a scholarship program to assist John Wayne Members who plan to continue education after high school in college or vocational school programs was created. In August 2021, the members of John Wayne Chapter No. 3667 and the Advisory Council both voted to name the scholarship fund the Charles Erick Ekelund Memorial Scholarship. Renewable scholarships will eventually be offered each year for full-time study at an accredited institution of the student's choice. Our initial goal is to raise $10,000 as fast as possible, in order to offer a $500 scholarship. Our long term goals are to raise $20,000 plus, and use the annual investment returns to offer one or two $1,000 scholarships to qualified members of John Wayne Chapter No. 3667. These goals are to be attained over the next ten years, the actual scholarships being available to be awarded one year after the above numbers are reached. They may begin after the fund has been constantly valued at or above the numbers listed above for 365 consecutive days. Awarding of scholarships should never bring the fund below these thresholds, and the scholarships will be suspended if the fund falls below them, and remain suspended until the fund has once again maintained a balance meeting the above numbers or greater for another 365 consecutive days.
Eligibility
Applicants to the Charles Erick Ekelund Memorial Scholarship program must be –
¨ An active member (12-20 years of age) in good standing of John Wayne Chapter No. 3667 Order of DeMolay.
¨ High school seniors who attend public or private schools, including home schools.
¨ Undergraduates who are already attending a junior college, university, or vocational-technical school, but have not yet completed their program of studies.
¨ Planning to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year.
¨ Have returned both the Initiatory Degree Obligation and the DeMolay Degree Obligation from memory before a stated meeting of the Chapter, and been declared proficient in each obligation by a vote of the chapter, or been declared proficient by a ritual judging panel at a regional DeMolay ritual tournament, such as the Frank Marshall Championship Tournament or the Old South Tournament.
¨ Have completed all five Leadership Correspondence Courses and earned the Lamp of Knowledge while a member of John Wayne Chapter Order of DeMolay.
¨ Have completed and earned the Representative DeMolay Award while a member of John Wayne Chapter No. 3667 Order of DeMolay
Have successfully completed his term as master councilor of John Wayne Chapter No. 3667, and been award his Past Master Councilor’s Meritorious Service Award (PMC-MSA).
¨ An active member (12-20 years of age) in good standing of John Wayne Chapter No. 3667 Order of DeMolay.
¨ High school seniors who attend public or private schools, including home schools.
¨ Undergraduates who are already attending a junior college, university, or vocational-technical school, but have not yet completed their program of studies.
¨ Planning to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year.
¨ Have returned both the Initiatory Degree Obligation and the DeMolay Degree Obligation from memory before a stated meeting of the Chapter, and been declared proficient in each obligation by a vote of the chapter, or been declared proficient by a ritual judging panel at a regional DeMolay ritual tournament, such as the Frank Marshall Championship Tournament or the Old South Tournament.
¨ Have completed all five Leadership Correspondence Courses and earned the Lamp of Knowledge while a member of John Wayne Chapter Order of DeMolay.
¨ Have completed and earned the Representative DeMolay Award while a member of John Wayne Chapter No. 3667 Order of DeMolay
Have successfully completed his term as master councilor of John Wayne Chapter No. 3667, and been award his Past Master Councilor’s Meritorious Service Award (PMC-MSA).
Awards
If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $500 award. The award will be paid directly to the educational institution in the applicant’s name, and will apply only to his tuition. The award may be renewed for up to three additional years or until a bachelor's degree, or vocational equivalent, is earned, whichever occurs first. Renewal is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance in full-time study and continuation of service to John Wayne Chapter No. 3667. Awards are for undergraduate study only.
Selection of Recipient
The Charles Erick Ekelund Memorial Scholarship is entirely merit based. After meeting all of the eligibility requirements, recipients are selected on the additional basis of academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and State and local DeMolay activities, work experience, statement of goals and aspirations. The best qualified applicant will be awarded the scholarship. Financial need is not considered. Selection of recipients is made by the Advisory Council. In no instance will an advisor, whose son is an applicant, play a part in the selection. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final. Applicants will be notified by early May [Scholarships will NOT be awarded until the program has reached its funding goals]. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients.
This website is the official website of John Wayne Chapter No. 3667 Order of DeMolay and acknowledges the authority of and yields allegiance to DeMolay International, of which Frank S. Land was the founder.
