Family and Friends of Herb Kehrl
The Kehrl family has established the Herb Kehrl Memorial Scholarship at Monroe County Community College in honor of the late state representative’s passionate commitment to education.
“As the family of State Representative Herb Kehrl, it is our privilege to be able to offer this scholarship in Herb’s memory,” Karen Kehrl, wife of Rep. Kehrl, said. “Herb believed educational opportunities should be made available to all interested students, and this donation helps make it more possible.”Rep. Kehrl, a Democrat from Monroe, was a longtime educator who realized his dream of serving in government when he was elected to the State House of Representatives in the fall of 2005. Prior to that, he served for nearly three decades as an educator and school administrator.
“Herb believed in continued education at all levels,” said Mrs. Kehrl. “He felt anyone interested in achieving further education should have the opportunity to do so. He believed that post-high school education improved one’s future both in a career and in self-fulfillment.”Rep. Kehrl began his career as a teacher of history and U.S. government at Airport Community Schools and went on to become a principal. He then moved to the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District in Brownstown, Michigan, and served there as principal for 22 years. Upon his retirement in 2000, Kehrl took a position with Surovell Realtors as a real estate agent.
In 2003, he was appointed by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm to the Michigan Higher Education Facilities Authority. Rep. Kehrl also served as chairman of the Monroe County Mental Health Authority, treasurer of the Monroe County Habitat for Humanity and as a board member on the Frenchtown Senior Citizens Board.
He was a two-time graduate of Eastern Michigan University, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and history and a master’s degree in history. Rep. Kehrl also did doctoral work at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University and earned a realtor’s license from the National School of Real Estate.
The Kehrls have two adult children: Katie, a graduate of the University of Michigan, and Erinn, a graduate of the University of Toledo.
Impact
Recipients:
2006-2007 Mark Truna
2007-2008 Timothy Fuerstenberg
2010-2011 Jacob McLaughlin
2011-2012 Sarah Begeman
2012-2013 William Doster
2013-2014 Hayley Henderson
2014-2015 Larissa Hershberger
2015-2016 Laurel Webb
2016-2017 Isabella Schulz
2017-2018 Holly Owsley
2018-2019 Madison McAreavy
2019-2020 Paige Hardy
2020-2021 Danielle McCurry
2021-2022 Rachel Ackerman
Winter 2024 Kaci Saum