By Joseph Furman, Captain, SCI Somerset
The idea of naming a scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ) in the name of SCI Somerset Sergeant Mark J. Baserman came about a little over a year ago. After meeting with university officials, they recommended an endowment be established for the scholarship. To start the endowment, a minimum of $50,000 must be placed in an investment account at the University of Pittsburgh and only the interest gained from the endowment will be used for the scholarship. This will ensure that the scholarship will be in place for generations. This is also a great way for Sergeant Baserman's memory and legacy to live on in such a positive way in his hometown.
The raising of the funds seemed at the time like a great obstacle. Most people in corrections are conditioned to forget tragic and traumatizing events. They may not know that they are doing it, but it is an involuntary coping mechanism that we inherit. However, the Department of Corrections as a whole has contributed and we were close to reaching the $50,000 in almost a year.
In January 2019, the idea was brought up about doing a memorial 5K. As the planning started, we wanted to make this a fun, happy and positive event, so we decided to do a Color Fun Walk/Run instead. We contacted the UPJ and they again donated their facilities, workers and volunteers to help us put on this event. They assisted us in soliciting for donations for the event and many donors wanted to donate baskets or other items to be raffled off at the event. So in conjunction to the Walk/Run we had a basket raffle and 50/50.
The event was held on May 4, 2019, at UPJ. The weather was great and the turnout was even better. Everyone that registered received a memorial t-shirt and free refreshments. More than 50 baskets were raffled off, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day.
After totaling up the numbers, we raised almost $6,000 from the event. We then discovered that we just reached the $50,000 starting point for the endowment, and according to UPJ, this is one of the fastest to ever reach this mark. Even though we reached the $50,000, we will continue to raise funds for the endowment so we can expand the scholarship to more students that are in financial need.
We have decided that this will be an annual event on the first Saturday in May every year. Next year's event will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2020, at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. The course will be a true 5K, but it will continue to be a fun color event and basket raffle.
Listen to the DOC's podcast about the scholarship.