CONTACT:
Gina Giacomini
Monroe County Community College
Office of Marketing and Communications
ggiacomimi1@monroeccc.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BENJAMIN CAPAUL NAMED 2021 ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR FOR MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MONROE, Mich. – The Monroe County Community College Board of Trustees has honored local funeral director Benjamin “Benny” David Capaul with the college’s 2021 Alumnus of the Year Award.
The Alumnus of the Year Award recognizes and honors outstanding alumni who have made significant contributions to their career field, community and the college. It was established by the Board of Trustees in 1996.
The award was originally slated to be presented at the 2021 Commencement Ceremony, but that event was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Capaul is a fourth-generation funeral director and attendant with Capaul Funeral Home in Ida, where he has served since 2004.
He earned his associate of science degree from MCCC in 2011 and continued his education in 2013, earning a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science from Wayne State University.
Capaul’s grandfather, Norman C. Capaul, was a member of the original MCCC Board of Trustees.
In 2021, Capaul was elected to the board of directors of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, a professional organization serving 1,200 funeral directors and 500 funeral homes statewide as well as two-thirds of all mortuary science establishments in Michigan. He is a founding member of the MFDA’s Leadership Academy and Recently Licensed and Young Funeral Professionals group.
Capual has made numerous clinical presentations over the years to local organizations, students and professional associations on topics such as career opportunities, death and how to help grieving children. In addition, he has had a number of articles published in professional trade journals.
In a resolution to officially name Capaul Alumnus of the Year, the Board of Trustees congratulated him on his accomplishment and accolades, stating that he “is a man of great character and integrity who exemplifies the best of Monroe County Community College.”
Previous Alumnus of the Year Award recipients include:
- 2020 Dr. Justin Chamberlain
- 2019 Don Gonyea
- 2018 Brian Merkle
- 2017 William J. Bacarella, Jr.
- 2016 Jacqueline Corser
- 2015 Dr. Carrie E. Nartker
- 2014 Paul W. Smith
- 2013 Lynette Dowler
- 2012 Alan Barron
- 2011 Darrick Whitaker
- 2010 Ignazio Cuccia
- 2009 Bill Terrasi
- 2008 Donna Bruck
- 2007 Vicki Reaume
- 2006 Kathy Zibbell
- 2005 Robert Schockman
- 2004 Michael A. Weipert
- 2003 Laura Schultz
- 2002 Nancy Chorzempa
- 2001 Lori Jo Couch
- 2000 Annette Sabo Johnson
- 1999 Robert M. Vergiels
- 1998 Suzette Bates
- 1997 Joseph A. Costello, Jr.
About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition. The college’s mission is to enrich lives in our community by providing opportunity through student-focused, affordable, quality higher education and other learning experiences. The Main Campus is located at 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Mich., 48161, with easy access to Toledo and Detroit. The Whitman Center is located in Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at www.monroeccc.edu.