PORTLAND, Maine, June 17, 2008 – At its Annual Meeting of Policyholders on Monday, MEMIC awarded a $5,000 scholarship to Rajna Kecojevic from Portland.

The MEMIC Horizon Scholarship is made annually to the spouse or child of a worker who has suffered a serious injury or death at work. About five years ago, Kecojevic’s mother was injured at work. The injuries to both her hands and shoulder made it impossible for her to return to work for a long period of time. While she has returned to work in a limited capacity now, the injury significantly hindered the family’s ability to support Rajna as she pursues her degree at Worcester State College in Worcester, MA.

“Rajna is an impressive young woman who has demonstrated her personal drive to succeed in the face of adversity,” said MEMIC President and CEO John Leonard. “This scholarship is meant to help alleviate the devastating impact that a workplace injury can have on a family. We’re proud to support Rajna in her education.”

Kecojevic was chosen the winner from dozens of applicants because of the demonstrated need and because of her future promise as an accounting student.

Rajna and her family moved to United States in 2000 after fleeing the war in the former Yugoslavia. After landing in New York, the family moved to Portland where Rajna graduated from Deering High School.

“Our goal in coming to America is for me to get educated,” said Kecojevic. “And not just get educated; to get a good education.”

Kecojevic has had to borrow several loans to pay for her tuition. “It’s been really hard juggling my school, job, apartment and bills,” she said. This scholarship will allow her to afford the upcoming semester.

The MEMIC Horizon Scholarship has been presented annually every year since 2001. With the 2008 award, the company has given scholarships totaling $50,000.

MEMIC also announced that the scholarship program has been renamed the Harvey Picker Horizon Scholarship in honor of Picker who died in March. Picker was a renowned physicist, educator and philanthropist who valued education. Picker was a member of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Workers’ Compensation which recommended the formation of MEMIC in 1992. Picker also served as a member of the Board of Directors of MEMIC.

“Harvey Picker was a champion for people but he was especially a champion of education,” said MEMIC’s Leonard. “It’s fitting for us to rename this wonderful program in his honor. It’s an important way for us to remember the contributions Harvey made to this company.”

Maine Employers' Mutual Insurance Company (MEMIC), based in Portland, Maine, is Maine's largest and leading workers' compensation insurer, providing coverage to more than 21,000 Maine employers and their estimated 170,000 employees. The company is rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best. More information can be found at www.memic.com. MEMIC Indemnity Company, based in Manchester, NH, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MEMIC. It is licensed to write workers' compensation policies in more than 35 states. It is rated “A-” (Excellent) by A.M. Best.