I feel ongoing education in funeral service is vital to providing excellent service to not only the families we serve but also to the funeral service committees and boards I serve on.
Although Michigan does not require continuing education I have obtained and maintain my CSFP and CCO accreditations at the national level as well as my CMFP at the state level, and I continually attend workshops, seminars, conferences and webinars on funeral related topics to stay apprised of changing trends and issues.
I am very involved with the Wayne State University Mortuary Science Program as I feel it is important to provide assistance in mentoring the next generation of funeral service professionals by providing living quarters and part time employment to mortuary science students. We also are a practicum site for students to shadow funeral directors each semester and also participate in the mentoring program. Following graduation, we also provide a rotating apprentice position(s) to assist graduates in obtaining their Mortuary Science License.
I am very proud of my involvement while serving as the President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association Service Corporation Board. We were able to award the first annual endowed scholarship to a Wayne State University Mortuary Science Student and this endowed scholarship will be able to be awarded in perpetuity.
I have been able to help promote the importance of funeral education while serving on the NFDA Executive Board by assisting in the development of the National Emerging Leaders Program, NELP, and the Regional Emerging Leaders Program. During the inaugural year of NELP, I was honored to be among one of the guest speakers to discuss the importance of servant leadership.
It has been an honor to work alongside other funeral service professionals on the Curriculum Committee for the American Board of Funeral Service Education, ABFSE, where we review mortuary science curriculum and make adjustments to the outline for instruction.
Most recently, I served on Job Task Analysis Committee for The International Conference to ensure the National Board Exam, NBE, remains current to the ever-changing landscape of our profession.
The participation in these organizations has provided me with invaluable information about the challenges of funeral service education. It has also help me to develop and strengthen relationships within these organizations which, in turn, provides open dialog with the affected organizations to discuss the future funeral service.
As President-Elect, these experiences will aid me in leading discussions with the Board of Directors related to the education of the next generation of funeral professions.
Although Michigan does not require continuing education I have obtained and maintain my CSFP and CCO accreditations at the national level as well as my CMFP at the state level, and I continually attend workshops, seminars, conferences and webinars on funeral related topics to stay apprised of changing trends and issues.
I am very involved with the Wayne State University Mortuary Science Program as I feel it is important to provide assistance in mentoring the next generation of funeral service professionals by providing living quarters and part time employment to mortuary science students. We also are a practicum site for students to shadow funeral directors each semester and also participate in the mentoring program. Following graduation, we also provide a rotating apprentice position(s) to assist graduates in obtaining their Mortuary Science License.
I am very proud of my involvement while serving as the President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association Service Corporation Board. We were able to award the first annual endowed scholarship to a Wayne State University Mortuary Science Student and this endowed scholarship will be able to be awarded in perpetuity.
I have been able to help promote the importance of funeral education while serving on the NFDA Executive Board by assisting in the development of the National Emerging Leaders Program, NELP, and the Regional Emerging Leaders Program. During the inaugural year of NELP, I was honored to be among one of the guest speakers to discuss the importance of servant leadership.
It has been an honor to work alongside other funeral service professionals on the Curriculum Committee for the American Board of Funeral Service Education, ABFSE, where we review mortuary science curriculum and make adjustments to the outline for instruction.
Most recently, I served on Job Task Analysis Committee for The International Conference to ensure the National Board Exam, NBE, remains current to the ever-changing landscape of our profession.
The participation in these organizations has provided me with invaluable information about the challenges of funeral service education. It has also help me to develop and strengthen relationships within these organizations which, in turn, provides open dialog with the affected organizations to discuss the future funeral service.
As President-Elect, these experiences will aid me in leading discussions with the Board of Directors related to the education of the next generation of funeral professions.
"I endorse Dutch Nie for President-Elect of the National Funeral Directors Association. Dutch's commitment to both funeral service education and continuing education for funeral directors is clear. Dutch has been an active participant in creating practicum and resident training positions for funeral service students to gain practical experience and was instrumental in creating an endowed scholarship for funeral service students. On many occasions Dutch has taken time to travel to campus and has met individually with students to give career advice and serve as a mentor. A tireless advocate for continuing education, Dutch has traveled the state of Michigan presenting educational programs to funeral directors and has led the way in proving the value of education to the profession. In the years that I have known Dutch, he has always been a champion of education and proactive in advancing the values of funeral professionals. It is my privilege to endorse my colleague and friend for NFDA President-Elect"
Mark Evely
Program Director, Wayne State University
Mark Evely
Program Director, Wayne State University
Education/certification(s)/license(s), including dates and granting organizations or jurisdictions I have earned:
Certified Michigan Funeral Professional (CMFP): May 2015
Certified Cremation Operator (CCO): November 2014
Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP): May 2013
Bachelors of Science in Mortuary Science, Wayne State University: December 1996
Michigan Licensed Funeral Director: October 1992
Associates in Criminal Justice, Community College of the Air Force: December 1989
Certified Michigan Funeral Professional (CMFP): May 2015
Certified Cremation Operator (CCO): November 2014
Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP): May 2013
Bachelors of Science in Mortuary Science, Wayne State University: December 1996
Michigan Licensed Funeral Director: October 1992
Associates in Criminal Justice, Community College of the Air Force: December 1989