Business school alumni give WSU students a swinging chance
The Wayne State University School of Business Administration Alumni Association will host its fifth annual golf outing on July 25 to grow a scholarship fund for Detroit high school graduates who pursue higher education at Wayne State’s business school.
The outing, called “Swing for the Students,” is instrumental to raising funds for the endowed scholarship. The alumni association, with the help of sponsors and participants in the golf event, raised $180,000 in just four years to fund the growing program.
DeShon Coves, a junior management student at WSU’s School of Business Administration, said receiving the scholarship greatly impacted his life.
“My biggest fear is graduating from college with too much debt. I even considered not attending college because of this fear,” said Coves.
“I never thought that someone would be generous enough to help me continue my education. This scholarship relieves me of my fear and I can focus more on achieving higher grades.”
Lopa Patel, a recent graduate from the School of Business Administration who studied finance, received the scholarship in 2010 and said it “helped her out tremendously.”
“With the increase in tuition and everything else, it is often difficult to find a way to pay for school,” Patel said.
“The scholarship served as a motivation to do better. Knowing that I can be rewarded for my academic success pushed me even further, because I wanted and needed that extra financial support.”
Matthew Simoncini, CFO of Lear Corporation, is one of a dedicated group of alumni who actively contributes to the golf outing’s success. He obtained the event’s title sponsorship from Lear and also recruited additional corporate sponsors.
“This event is the perfect combination of business networking, communication, fundraising and fun,” Simoncini said.
“I am very proud of my WSU roots and I believe the university is one of Detroit’s jewels. Its mission of providing a world class education to those who may not otherwise have that opportunity needs to be supported,” he said.
“Swing for the Students helps us get this message out to a broad group of individuals while raising money for scholarships. I received support during my time as a student and I feel a real obligation to do my part in helping to support today’s students.”
This year’s outing is Monday, July 25th, at the Detroit Golf Club, 17911 Hamilton.
The fee of $250 per player, or $1,000 for a foursome, includes golf, meals and prizes. Preregistration is required. Register online at www.alumni.wayne.edu/events.
Sponsorships are available for companies and individuals. Monetary donations to the scholarship fund are also accepted. Read more at www.swingforthestudents.com.
