Scholarship Page

RAMI Scholarships

Erkan Bertram

2014 Kim & Ruth MacCloskey RAMI Music Scholarship

After accepting the RAMI award, I attended and graduated from Union College with a major in Biology and a minor in both Music and Economics. With my degree, I applied and was accepted into the University of Washington, Seattle campus where I am pursuing a Masters in Healthcare Administration (MHA). Thus far I have completed one of two years in the program. Additionally, I am currently interning with the Population Health department at HealthPoint which is a community health center. My project revolves around Transitions of Care and creating a program in which discharged patients from the hospital and emergency room are being provided adequate follow up care and are transitioned back into HealthPoint clinics. In turn, we hope to reduce unnecessary readmissions, adequately address high risk patients, and reduce unnecessary costs. My current thoughts on what I’d like to do with my degree include opening my own clinic or hospital that pushes beyond the construct of traditional medicine, integrating itself better within the surrounding community. This way we can treat the person as a whole and not just their most apparent symptoms.


The Rockford Area Music Industry, Inc. has awarded over $70,000 to over 50 students to support their desire to study music.

The Gary S. WIlmer / RAMI Music Scholarship

The Gary S. Wilmer Memorial Trust was established in 1996 to honor the memory and continue the legacy of Gary Wilmer by awarding scholarships to students who wish to pursue and education in music. Gary was the founder & publisher of RAM Magazine, a Rockford area music monthly, and a founding organizer of the RAMI awards. Joe Guzzardo, owner of Guzzardo Music, said of Gary, "He was thoughtful and sensitive, and thoroughly understood the problems and needs of local music and musicians." Gary could do it all, be it organizing benefits, booking bands, running sound or lights, helping new music club owners or encouraging new talent to persevere. As the president of his senior class at East High School, as a graduate of Rockford College and as a successful businessman, Gary's 43 years of living showed that education is a marvelous "conductor" of a successful musical life.

It is the sincere hope of the RAMI scholarship committee that the recipients of this scholarship will carry on Gary's legacy with pride.

Scholarship Selection Criteria

- Be a college-bound student in Boone, Ogle or Winnebago County;
- Be 19 years old or younger as of the application deadline;
- Be attending or planning to attend an accredited two- or four-year college/university;
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5/4.0;
- Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to further their musical education throughout college; and
- Be actively involved in school or community musical groups.
- Previous Wilmer scholarship recipients are not eligible to reapply.

Deadline January 1st. For more information and online application forms, visit www.cfnil.org.
 

RAMI Young Artists Music Scholarship

RAMI funds several programs through The Music Academy in Rockford. Each student is nominated by the staff of the Music Academy and must demonstrate financial need. Scholarship covers one year of study.

PO Box 4128, Rockford, IL 61110
ramicommittee @ ramiawards.com

Rockford Area Music Industry, Inc. is classified as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by the standards of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Therefore, any donations to the Rockford Area Music Industry, Inc. may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.