Wayne State Business Alumni Raise Scholarship Funds for Detroit High School Students
More than 100 alumni and supporters of the Wayne State University School of Business Administration hit the lush fairways of the Detroit Golf Club on Monday, July 27, to grow a scholarship fund benefiting Detroit high school students interested in studying business at Wayne State University.
This 3rd annual “Swing for the Students” golf outing, spearheaded by a committee of the Wayne State School of Business Administration Alumni Association and supported by 17 corporate sponsors, including title sponsor Lear Corporation, raised more than $50,000 this year, despite the down economy. 
“This event is a great example of how Wayne State's School of Business and business leaders from our community who have graduated from the school are committed to the future of our region,” said School of Business alumni association president Therese Marie Boldt. “Given today's challenging economic times, we could have chosen not to hold this event, but our alumni leaders understand that today's challenging economic times are simply a call to action to support the youth who will transform our region. And transform our region they will if they have the opportunity to obtain a business degree from Wayne State University,” she said.
Funds raised this year will be added to the existing endowment started three years ago for the “Endowed Scholarship for Emerging Leaders,” tipping its balance over the $150,000 mark. As the endowment grows, the number and amount of the scholarships will increase. The first proceeds from the endowment were presented in April of this year to two high school students, Tyekingya Nichols and Michael Ashford, both graduates of Cass Tech now studying marketing at Wayne State. Each received $2,500, which represents about 35% of the full-time tuition for one year. The association’s long term goal is to build the endowment to the million dollar mark. This would enable the Alumni Association to provide 20 scholarships annually to Detroit high school students that want to study business at Wayne State University.
Ned Grant, chairman of the golf outing committee, is especially proud of the support received from sponsors and golfers despite the current economic challenges facing Detroit. “It’s really gratifying to have the support of our sponsors in these difficult economic times. The support of these local businesses demonstrates a focused vision to support the future business leaders of Detroit,” he said.
In addition to Lear Corporation, this year’s Swing for the Students sponsors included Alvarez & Marsal, ArvinMeritor, BBK, Bodman
Attorneys & Counselors, CB Richard Ellis, DTE Energy, Duff & Phelps, Ernst & Young, JMA Logistics LLC, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, KPMG, Netlink, Prestige Stamping, UHY Advisors, Winston & Strawn LLP, and Wolverine Packing Company.
Anyone interested in learning more about the scholarship program or the golf outing may contact the Wayne State University School of Business Administration Alumni Association at sbaalumni@gmail.com or may visit the golf outing Web site www.SwingForTheStudents.com.
