The James P. Konieczka Memorial Scholarship was established by his three children, Bryan, Amy, and Katie, to honor their father’s wishes after his passing in 2016 following a courageous year-long battle with cancer.

James, or Jim as he was referred to by his family and friends, was a lifelong resident of Saginaw. He attended St. Stephen’s High School and also Delta College. He worked hard throughout his life beginning as a newspaper carrier for The Saginaw News in the mid-1960s. Following newspaper delivery, Jim worked at Shoeland at Fort Saginaw Mall before taking a job managing the shoe department at Town & Country department store at Fashion Square Mall in the early 1970s. In the mid-1980s, Jim switched careers and began working for Frito-Lay, Inc. as a route sales associate. He retired in 2014.

Jim believed in the value of a college education, but he also understood that not everyone wants to pursue this post-secondary education path. It was his wish that this scholarship be made available to someone seeking Career and Techincal Education (CTE) training (skilled trade/vocation)  or to someone seeking a traditional college degree.