Father Thomas A. Neis Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Fr. Thomas A. Neis Memorial Scholarship Fund was formally established in August of 2008. This endowment fund provides need-based tuition scholarships to parishioners in good standing of Immaculate Conception Church. The principal of the fund includes gifts from the estate of Fr. Neis and other benefactors who have contributed in honor and memory of Fr. Neis. The balance of the fund currently exceeds $100,000.
Fr. Tom Neis was born in Detroit in 1926 and attended St. Catherine Elementary, followed by St. Joseph and Sacred Heart Seminaries in Detroit, and St. John Provincial Seminary in Plymouth. He was ordained at St. Andrew Cathedral in Grand Rapids in 1952. Fr. Neis faithfully served his Church in various parishes, included Portland, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Manistee, Grayling, Traverse City, Boyne City, Charlevoix, Posen and Copemish. Fr. Neis had a genuine love for Catholic schools and held leadership positions, including the Superintendent of Manistee Catholic (1964-1971) and Superintendent of Christian Education for the Diocese of Gaylord. Fr. Neis moved back to Traverse City in 2006, serving Immaculate Conception Church as a retired priest until his peaceful passing in October of 2007.