The Mike Ilitch School of Business Laptop Loan Program provides laptops for students unable to meet technological requirements

Thanks to a generous gift from Ilitch School alumni Byron Pond Jr. and his family, we are excited to announce the launch of a five-year pilot of the Mike Ilitch School of Business Laptop Loan Program.

Access to the appropriate technology is essential to success in a modern business school classroom, but it also poses a barrier to students who are unable to access the devices and programs they need to be successful. This program aims to break down barriers by providing laptops to incoming students unable to readily meet these technological requirements.

This innovative five-year pilot program is provided by the support of a generous alumni donor and his family, Byron Pond Jr. The Pond Family is honored to help advance digital tools and technical support for students at the Mike Ilitch School of Business as a grassroots donor. They hope this program will be an important steppingstone to help students reach new levels of excellence.

Students accepted to receive assistance from the Program will receive a new laptop equipped with a mouse, case and the software required for the completion of many courses. Students can keep their laptop for their time spent studying at the Ilitch School, and after graduation or six years of continued enrollment in the program the computer and accessories will be gifted to the student.

While financial need is not a requirement for eligibility, applicants must be accepted or enrolled for the upcoming semester, majoring in a program at the Ilitch School and provide a rationale for why they would benefit from the Program.

Dean Virginia Kleist is excited about this new program, commenting that "increasing access to vital technology will not only help our students succeed in the classroom, but allow them to take on internships and jobs where they will be expected to supply their own technology. I feel that every student who walks through our doors deserves an equal opportunity to succeed, and by removing these technological barriers from our student's paths, we can help ensure that they have all the resources they need to graduate and go on to do great things beyond the Ilitch School."

Applications to receive support from the Laptop Loan Program will go live in November 2023, with the program launching in January 2024. Questions may be directed to Assistant Dean Linda Zaddach at ad3345@wayne.edu.

If you are interested in supporting the longevity of the Program through a philanthropic contribution, please contact Associate Director of Philanthropy Alex Reeds at alexreeds@wayne.edu or 989-802-4450.