Scholarships

Spouses now eligible for Dependent Tuition Scholarship

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 18:58:43 +0000

Spouses now eligible for Dependent Tuition Scholarship Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 01/11/2023 - 13:58

About to enter its fifth year on campus, the Dependent Tuition Scholarship Program offers dependents of regular part- and full-time staff and faculty members a 50 percent tuition scholarship when they enroll in undergraduate courses as degree-seeking undergraduate students, as long as they qualify for admission and have met the prerequisites.

Previously, dependent children and dependent children of spouses or domestic partners living in the home were eligible for the program. The 51��Ƶ-Dearborn Faculty Senate recently suggested this program enhancement.

Now, spouses and other qualified adults also will be able to participate on a pilot basis, with a maximum of 15 people admitted annually in an academic year. The new program guidelines to include spouse and other qualified adults will be evaluated after two years.

“The enhancement to the Dependent Tuition Scholarship Program exemplifies the campus community’s commitment to education,” said Daniel Little, chancellor. “The university remains committed to providing an accessible and quality education to all students and listening to suggestions from faculty and staff that work to advance the mission of the university.”

The Dependent Tuition Scholarship Program is administered through a partnership among the Office of Admissions and Orientation, the Office of Financial Aid and the Office of Human Resources.

Those interested in the scholarship are required to apply through the Office of Admissions and Orientation using the Supplemental Information Form. The deadline to submit the form is no later than the first day of the term. However, students are encouraged to submit the form as soon as possible.

The Dependent Tuition Scholarship applies to tuition only; the student must pay all other fees and costs.

There is no limit to the number of credits that may be taken each semester under the scholarship program, but the student will only be eligible for up to eight semesters of this award. This scholarship is restricted to Michigan residents who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents.

Scholarships

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Off

Fri, 07/30/2010 - 17:58

Beginning this fall, faculty and staff members’ spouses and other qualified adults will be eligible to participate in 51��Ƶ-Dearborn’s popular Dependent Tuition Scholarship Program.

Make your Destination Dearborn

stuxbury — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 03:23:17 +0000

Make your Destination Dearborn stuxbury Mon, 06/13/2022 - 23:23

The southeastern Michigan percentage for job growth is higher than the national average increase — with large gains in business, manufacturing and professional services.

With many high-wage career paths requiring knowledge and networks that are gained through earning a Bachelor’s degree — thanks to the lessons learned through internships, co-ops, course capstone projects, research work and more — people are continuing to look for bridges to strengthen their skills and career prospects.

51��Ƶ-Dearborn, with its strong industry connections and Block M name, knows how important these experiences — and access to these experiences — are. That’s where Destination Dearborn comes in.

Destination Dearborn is for undergraduate students who begin their higher ed careers at two-year colleges, but plan to continue toward a four-year degree.

51��Ƶ-Dearborn Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Melissa Stone said students often say they want to continue their education after earning an associates degree. But the process can be frustrating if the transition to earning a bachelor’s degree isn’t clear. Destination Dearborn is our renewed commitment to provide resources and support to students on what they’ll need for a bachelor’s degree at the beginning of their college career instead of waiting until their two-year degree is nearly complete.

“We want to remove obstacles and guide these students from the beginning so that they take the right classes early for their chosen major, which will save time and money,” Stone said. “We also want students to have the experiences in a two-year college — like making sure they have the foundational skills needed for their dream job — that will help them succeed at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn and beyond.”

A Partnership for Strengthening Education and the Region

For 60-plus years, 51��Ƶ-Dearborn and Henry Ford College (HFC) have provided the southeastern Michigan community with knowledge and skills needed for top-level careers.

The long-standing history and close proximity — the campuses were recently connected by a new walkway located near 51��Ƶ-Dearborn’s parking structure, further eliminates barriers between the two schools — makes HFC the ideal Destination Dearborn partner for the Destination Dearborn’s program launch.

“By leveraging the strengths of our two campuses, we are able to provide enhanced access opportunities to our southeast Michigan students,” said 51��Ƶ-Dearborn Undergraduate Enrollment Management Director Urana Pridemore.

Beginning with the Fall 2022 semester, Henry Ford College students who indicate on their admission application their plans to transfer to 51��Ƶ-Dearborn will be contacted in the Fall to determine interest in the program. In addition, current HFC students will have an opportunity to complete a “Declaration to Transfer" form to indicate their interest in a Dearborn Wolverine degree. This can be done up to completion of 30 HFC credits to ensure a beneficial and efficient degree plan.

Here’s how Destination Dearborn works:

Students interested in transferring will have a dedicated team to make sure every credit counts. They will receive specialized support in developing a clear degree plan. This guidance and aligned curriculum ensures all credits transfer toward your selected degree program.
There’s a seamless application process and guaranteed admission once an associates degree is completed, if a student meets program requirements.
Students become a part of University of Michigan-Dearborn’s campus before enrolling. They will have access to the campus’ recreational facilities, connect with key library resources and research support and get support with job, internship and co-curricular experiences.

In addition, Pridemore and Stone said that all students who participate in the program — which include developing and staying on track with their four-year degree plan, engaging with 51��Ƶ-Dearborn on events designed to support early engagement, and completing their associates within three years with a 2.75 cumulative GPA — will be eligible for 51��Ƶ-Dearborn’s top transfer student funding awards for up to four semesters.

Preparing Michigan for the Future

Between these enhanced transfer student financial aid awards and the 51��Ƶ-Dearborn’s Go Blue Guarantee, 51��Ƶ-Dearborn Chancellor Domenico Grasso says many of Destination Dearborn’s students have the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degree at a very low cost.

Continuing the community education mission 51��Ƶ-Dearborn has had for six-plus decades, Grasso said it’s important to help the state of Michigan reach its goal of creating a stronger economy by increasing the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree from 45% to 60% by 2030.

Grasso said the university will continue developing ways to support highly qualified, talented and motivated students to succeed in a 21st century workforce because college education reaches beyond just preparing one individual — it is a transformative experience that impacts families and communities.

In addition to this new program, 51��Ƶ-Dearborn also has several inclusive financial aid programs available to benefit transfers interested in completing their Bachelor’s degree, such as Focus on the Finish, that supports working adults who complete their associates under the State of Michigan Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect programs or our Dearborn Comeback for students who may have left without their degree and can receive funding to help complete their degree.

Article by Sarah Tuxbury.

Accessibility or Affordability

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Scholarships

Student Success

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Undergraduate Admissions

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Tue, 06/14/2022 - 03:23

Destination Dearborn — a new program for transfer students from two-year colleges — guides prospective 51��Ƶ-Dearborn degree seekers through enhanced academic advising, increased financial aid, career-ready resources and more.

Regents approve 51��Ƶ-Dearborn budget and extension of Go Blue Guarantee

lblouin — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 15:17:10 +0000

Regents approve 51��Ƶ-Dearborn budget and extension of Go Blue Guarantee lblouin Thu, 06/17/2021 - 11:17

Chancellor's Pond in the summer

The Board of Regents affirmed University of Michigan-Dearborn’s commitment to student success, academic excellence and creating access and opportunity for qualified students, with the approval of the university’s $155 million 2021-2022 general fund operating budget on June 17.

The FY '22 budget includes a 1.9 percent tuition increase, which aligns with the Higher Education Price Index and is well below what the state of Michigan is expected to set as a cap on how much universities can increase tuition this year. Campus leaders said the increase is the lowest possible to maintain the academic excellence expected at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn.

“As 51��Ƶ-Dearborn continues to be challenged to serve students with limited state support, maintaining the excellence of our education programs and ensuring access to the university are among our top priorities,'' said Domenico Grasso, chancellor, 51��Ƶ-Dearborn. “Accordingly, we continually increase financial aid awards for students for merit and demonstrated financial need with approximately 88 percent of our state of Michigan appropriation going directly to students via financial aid.”

The Regents also extended the Go Blue Guarantee – U-M’s landmark promise of four years of free tuition for high-achieving in-state undergraduate students from low-income backgrounds – to the Dearborn and Flint campuses.

Beginning this fall, full-time, high-achieving undergraduate in-state students attending 51��Ƶ-Dearborn will automatically qualify for the award if they have a family income of $65,000 or less and assets below $50,000.

In addition to meeting the income and asset provisions, incoming first-time college students need a high school GPA of at least 3.5 to qualify for the Go Blue Guarantee and will be eligible for up to eight semesters of free tuition. Incoming transfer students need a transfer GPA of at least 3.5 and will be eligible for up to four semesters of free tuition. Returning students at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn who have not exceeded the semester limit as noted will be eligible starting this fall and must have a GPA of at least 3.0. Program specifics are available on the 51��Ƶ-Dearborn Go Blue Guarantee website with additional information added as it becomes available.

The initiative is supported at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn by a lead gift from Kathy and Jim Hackett.

“Our campus has been piloting this program for the past year. Today’s announcement of the extension of the Go Blue Guarantee to 51��Ƶ-Dearborn will allow us to continue our efforts to focus on providing an accessible University of Michigan education to high-achieving students throughout southeast Michigan,” said Grasso. “We are grateful for the leadership of President Schlissel, the Regents and our philanthropic partners on bringing this important initiative to our campus.”

“The Flint and Dearborn campuses are incredibly important to the university as a whole, and the extension of the Go Blue Guarantee to these hardworking and intelligent students is very well deserved,” said Michael J. Behm, regent, University of Michigan. “Thanks to President Schlissel and Chancellors Grasso and Dutta for working tirelessly to make a U of M education a reality for so many young citizens of the state of Michigan.”

Last year, 51��Ƶ-Dearborn introduced a block tuition structure to encourage undergraduate students to take increased course loads and graduate more quickly and economically.

With the 1.9 percent increase in tuition, full-time, in-state, undergraduate students will see a $264 annual increase to $13,816. Out-of-state undergraduate students will see tuition and fees at $28,048, or about $528 more than last year. Graduate students will see an increase of about $180 annually, for in-state students, or $336 annually, for out-of-state students, for the typical part-time (6 credit hours per term) graduate rate.

The university will continue to charge the reduced registration fee of $200 per semester introduced last year.

“The university community has worked hard throughout the past year to be more efficient, reduce expenses and keep our tuition increase as low as possible,” Grasso said. “These changes enabled us to successfully manage our resources during the pandemic and present the Regents with a balanced budget for fiscal year 2022 with a focus on student success.”

The Understanding Tuition area of the 51��Ƶ-Dearborn website has been updated to reflect the 2022 budget information.

###

Members of the media can contact Communications and Marketing Director Beth Marmarelli at bethmar@umich.edu or 248-752-8586.

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Thu, 06/17/2021 - 15:14

The Go Blue Guarantee will be available for qualifying current and new students beginning Fall 2021

March 10 is Giving Blueday

stuxbury — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 18:43:00 +0000

March 10 is Giving Blueday stuxbury Mon, 03/08/2021 - 13:43

Living in a Los Angeles mid-century modern home surrounded by palm trees, Alumnus Gary Wohlleben’s life today looks almost nothing like it did when he was a 51��Ƶ-Dearborn student.

And that’s why he gives on Giving Blueday.

“I wouldn’t be sitting here in this beautiful home in California if it wasn’t for the campus internship program, so I make a point to support it every year,” says first-generation college student Wohlleben, ‘66 B.B.A., who went out to California after graduation and used his 51��Ƶ-Dearborn business degree to start his career in Hollywood as a producer and financial controller. “When I went to NBC for my interview, luck would have it that the person interviewing me was a Michigan graduate too.”

Giving Blueday 2021, which will take place all-day Wednesday, is an opportunity for the 51��Ƶ-Dearborn community to come together and support what they love about campus. During the last Giving Blueday, nearly $100,000 was raised for campus causes like scholarships, centers, student organizations and more.

"Giving Blueday is a chance for a lot of people to make a difference together," said Annual Giving Director Eva Gogola. As an added incentive, there are social media challenges and gift matches. "Philanthropy is personal, but I think it should also be fun. We've really embraced that at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn."

For example, Gogola said there is a Giving Brewday Alumni Challenge where people post a photo on social media of themselves with a favorite brew (coffee, tea, beer, etc.) and use #GivingBrewday2021. Each hour from 4 to 7 p.m., one participant will be selected and will win $1,000 directed to the 51��Ƶ-Dearborn fund of their choice.

Photo of Gary Wohlleben, Bert Meza and pup Guinness

If Wohlleben — who’s worked on television shows like Little House of the Prairie and animated movies like the Shrek and Despicable Me series — participates in the challenge, he and husband Bert Meza could take a photo with Guinness, their pint-sized Welsh Corgi pup that’s a favorite in their home.

Over a Zoom call, Wohlleben shared interesting behind-the-scenes stories from popular movies and shows. The donkey in Shrek was modeled after a miniature one in Palo Alto named Perry. Wohlleben said the late actor Michael Landon was inspiring in how he balanced family, filming and growing his career into writing and producing: “He told me, ‘If you don’t put yourself out there and try, how will you know if you'd be any good?’” And when Wohlleben was tasked with finding ways to make the most out of the production budget, which was often his role in the operation, he relied on his education from 51��Ƶ-Dearborn.

“In all steps of my career, I always went back to one class in particular, The Theory of Accounting. So much of what I needed to know on making things financially work came from that class. My education has helped me for 50 years. That’s a pretty good return on investment,” said Wohlleben, who recently retired.

Knowing the doors that education opens, Wohlleben and Meza make it a point to connect with campus on Giving Blueday. They give to areas that promote experiential learning like COB’s Internship and Career Management Center and that support identity affirmation like 51��Ƶ-Dearborn’s LGBTQ+ Programs and Initiatives.

“I want students to continue to have these opportunities. We need to support what once supported us so it doesn’t go away,” Wohlleben said. “We all start from somewhere. And I consider Michigan as the place that helped me get to where I am today. That’s why I give.”

Institutional Advancement

Off

Mon, 03/08/2021 - 18:40

For 24 hours, the entire university will come together and support the causes that make us the leaders and best. One of campus’ Wolverines — who’s worked for NBC, Dreamworks and Illumination Entertainment — shares why he gives.

Giving Blueday 2021

College of Business center focuses on connecting students with mentors, industry

stuxbury — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 18:26:08 +0000

College of Business center focuses on connecting students with mentors, industry stuxbury Wed, 11/04/2020 - 13:26

Michael Porter credits his successful business career — with roles like DTE vice president of corporate communications and The Stroh Brewery Company vice president of marketing — to a connection he made at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn as a student.

Porter, ‘75 B.B.A.,recalls first stepping onto campus and meeting John Wessinger, who was head of the Internship Program at the College of Business. Porter says Wessinger’s fervent dedication at developing a widely respected internship program attracted him to campus. “51��Ƶ-Dearborn students were recognized as mature, highly prepared and motivated.”

Photo of John Wessinger

And the experiences Porter gained from Wessinger’s connections and mentorship gave him the knowledge needed to transition from student to professional.

Through the program, Porter landed an internship at Ford Motor Company and says it opened doors for him. “Back then, Ford was still in the tractor business and I got an internship with them in the sales and marketing area and had a really wonderful experience. It certainly helped me when the time came to interview for jobs and gave me a leg up on the start of my career,” says Porter, who retired from DTE in 2011.

Today the COB Internship and Career Management Center might look a little different — especially with its evolved name and virtual services — but it continues to serve the campus and community as a talent pipeline.

Interim Director Tuere Wheeler says its purpose remains focused on preparing business students for what’s next, and for cultivating relationships with industry. Prior to COVID, Wheeler traveled the country scouting out placement opportunities for students. She was in New York City last spring with COB faculty member Nick Vlisides to network with connections at Moody’s, Royal Bank of Canada and S&P 500. And in the remote-first world, she regularly meets with potential corporate partners via Zoom to create new experience pathways.

“The goal of the office has always been to help facilitate relationships between industry and our students. We feel that providing our students with access to experiential learning opportunities where they can practice and demonstrate what they are learning in the classroom, as well as develop networking and mentoring relationships, is key to their career development and success.”

Senior Faris Ajluni is one of the students who has benefited from these connections. The finance major attributes his previous roles at Ford Motor Company, Zeal Credit Union and with a tech startup to landing a risk management analyst internship last summer with S&P 500.

“S&P called me because of my internship experiences and leadership roles,” he says. “It’s important to look for opportunities and put yourself out there. Keep building your resume.”

And Wessinger, through a recent gift given by his wife Lelahni Wessinger (‘75 B.A., ‘83 M.A.), will continue to help students get connected to these needed experiences. The former COB faculty member, who passed away in 2010, had a scholarship established in his name to financially help students who may not otherwise be able to accept an internship. Hear Porter and Lelahni Wessinger discuss the scholarship.

When Porter reflects on his time at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn, he says internship opportunities were an important step in his success — as was Wessinger’s guidance. And that bond created at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn is something that’s always stayed with Porter.

“John had great passion for the students that he was mentoring and certainly I was a beneficiary of that,” says Porter, who has served as a COB mentor. “Business internships are a hugely valuable piece of the overall education and 51��Ƶ-Dearborn has an unparalleled history in terms of helping their students find valuable internships. John’s leadership helped countless numbers of young men and women find themselves professionally.”

In addition to the COB Internship and Management Center, 51��Ƶ-Dearborn also has resources and mentoring opportunities for all majors and alumni through Career Services and the Talent Gateway. If not ready to apply for a position yet, consider writing or updating the resume.

Careers or Internships

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Wed, 11/04/2020 - 18:24

The COB Internship and Career Management Center and the mentors met within it have a lasting legacy.

Holistic approach to student success leads to record OpScholars retention rate

nlerma — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 15:43:48 +0000

Holistic approach to student success leads to record OpScholars retention rate nlerma Mon, 10/30/2017 - 11:43

Opportunity Scholars

An Opportunity Scholars button is pinned to Rosa Gonzalez’s backpack. And a lanyard with those same two words is frequently worn around her neck.

Gonzalez, a first-generation college student pursing a business degree, said she’s proud to be a part of the Opportunity Scholars Program (OpScholars). And the reason she gives isn’t the merit-based scholarship the designation comes with—it’s the connections she’s made.

“When I first got to campus, I was nervous and wasn’t sure if it would be right for me,” said Gonzalez, who initially chose 51��Ƶ-Dearborn because of the close proximity to her family. “But once I learned about everything 51��Ƶ-Dearborn has to offer and met the amazing people here, I didn’t want to be anywhere else.”

She’s not alone.

Retention rate for the Opportunity Scholars Program (OpScholars)—which is a learning community started in 2007 for the highest achieving students from the state's most economically disadvantaged high schools—is the highest it has ever been at 85 percent. The 2016-2017 percentage is up 13 percent from four years ago, and it’s higher than the overall campus retention rate.

So what has changed?

In short, Office of Student Success Director Amy Finley said, “Everything.”

Finley said research repeatedly shows that university students who are more informed and engaged are higher achievers. The university also wanted to take a holistic approach to finding success.

“Instead of only giving academic resources, we are informing them about a variety of campus resources like the food pantry, counseling services, disability services and more. Because no matter how intelligent you are, if you have pressing issues in your life you cannot resolve, there’s a good chance your grades will be affected,” she said. “Our goal is to get students to and through their degree. This benefits not only our students, but—with 80 percent of our graduates staying in southeast Michigan—the region as a whole.”

The Office of Student Success hired Assistant Director Tyler Guenette to lead the OpScholars initiative in 2015. Since then, the team has worked to develop an environment within the office where students would be comfortable asking questions—not in a formal meeting way, more like getting advice from a trusted mentor.

To engage students, Guenette organized programming—with input from former OpScholars—around social engagement, metropolitan impact and academic excellence. Mentoring partnerships, Alternative Spring Break trips and an “Introduction to University Life” course are a few examples.

The Office of Student Success also enacted a required 20-point-per-semester system last fall, where incoming OpScholars—which made up 25 percent of the 2016-2017 freshman class—earned points for each educationally purposeful action they completed like attending a faculty’s office hours, hearing a campus speaker or participating in a community service project. After each activity, students wrote a reflection paper. The paper helped students with writing skills and critical thinking. And it helped Guenette identify potential struggles.

“They might write about being too hungry to concentrate or how they felt like they still don’t have an answer to a question they asked. When we see things like that, we reach out and see how we can help. Getting them acclimated and connected during the first year is crucial,” said Guenette, adding that students transition into the Talent Gateway’s gameful learning platform in their sophomore year. “Once they have a firm footing on campus, the Talent Gateway can begin to set them up for success for full-time work after graduation.”

Gonzalez said she’s benefited from this approach. She said she didn’t come to campus with the goal of getting involved. But after earning points for attending a student organization meeting, she joined; after planning an event, she led one; and after applying for a campus job, she was hired.

“I see how much I’ve grown in just a year. I know myself. I wouldn’t have done this, especially this early, if I wasn’t an OpScholar,” she said. “Sure, it’s fun to know a lot of people from getting involved. But it is also good for time management, testing your interests and gaining confidence in your abilities.”

Gonzalez feels like she is an important part the university. And that makes 51��Ƶ-Dearborn even more important to her.

“Everyone is so welcoming here. It is absolutely the right place for me,” she said. “I knew that college would prepare me for a good career, but I didn’t expect the overall effect it would have. This is about more than finding a good job, it’s preparation for a better life.”

Scholarships

Student Success

Metropolitan Impact

Off

Mon, 10/30/2017 - 15:42

The 85 percent retention rate is up 13 percent from four years ago.

Four years in a row

admin — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:44:25 +0000

Four years in a row admin Wed, 01/30/2013 - 11:44

Christina Soliz wasn't always the most likely student to get involved. In high school, her plan was to stick with schoolwork.

Now, though, she has joined a growing list of University of Michigan-Dearborn transfer students who are making the most of their college experience—and who are getting recognized for it.

Soliz recently became the fourth consecutive 51��Ƶ-Dearborn student to earn a scholarship from Tau Sigma National Honor Society, the honor society for transfer students.

Soliz joined Tau Sigma as a way to "break out of her shell" after transferring from another college.

"Being a transfer student on a commuter campus, I didn’t think I’d have the opportunity to get to know people," she said. "But Tau Sigma was a chance to get involved and make friends."

Soliz, a sociology major, didn't waste time getting involved.

Since joining Tau Sigma last year, she has become the chapter's vice president, coordinated a service project to Gleaner's Food Bank, helped plan the upcoming induction ceremony and presented at a conference with Maureen Linker, associate professor of philosophy, and Neam Alazawi, chapter president.

"This is a great chapter. Ever since we were founded in 2009, a 51��Ƶ-Dearborn student has earned a Tau Sigma scholarship," Soliz said. "It's a good legacy to be a part of."

Previous 51��Ƶ-Dearborn scholarship recipients were Meghan Liwienski, Timothy Fitch and Menas Houstoulakis.

Soliz hopes to use the $2,000 scholarship to help fund her Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates (GIEU) trip to Vietnam this summer.

Scholarships

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Wed, 01/30/2013 - 16:44

Christina Soliz kept the tradition alive as she became the fourth 51��Ƶ-Dearborn student in consecutive years to receive a scholarship from the Tau Sigma National Honor Society.

University remembers longtime supporter Mary Kochoff

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:19:18 +0000

University remembers longtime supporter Mary Kochoff admin Mon, 01/30/2012 - 15:19

She loved to read, play golf and tend to her beautiful garden.

But for 51��Ƶ-Dearborn faculty, staff, students and alumni, Mary Kochoff is best known for her generosity.

Mary and her husband of 67 years, Arthur, have long been generous benefactors to the University. Whether that includes funding scholarships or campus improvements, the Kochoff name is engrained at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn. Most notably, their name is enshrined at the entranceway of 51��Ƶ-Dearborn’s hub for campus events – Kochoff Hall.

And generosity is how the campus community will remember Mary, who died Jan. 19. She was 95.

“Mary Kochoff put students at the center of her involvement with the University of Michigan-Dearborn,” said Stanley Henderson, vice chancellor for enrollment management and student life. “Along with her husband, Arthur, she contributed to students’ success by easing their financial burdens. Kochoff scholarships have allowed students the freedom to excel and make a difference in our community of higher education.”

51��Ƶ-Dearborn student Quinn Osgood can attest to that. Osgood is studying engineering at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn because of a scholarship funded by the Kochoff family.

“Though I never got the chance to meet the Kochoffs, their generous donations to the University for student scholarships has really meant the world to me,” he said. “It has given me the opportunity to pursue a degree in engineering and it is the main reason I chose to attend the University of Michigan-Dearborn.”

The campus community will continue to benefit from Mary’s generosity and desire to keep the University experience accessible for years to come.

“Mrs. Kochoff exemplified the spirit of contribution and making a difference that defines our university community,” Henderson said. “Her impact will continue to be felt as the students she supported give back to 51��Ƶ-Dearborn.”

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Mon, 01/30/2012 - 20:19

Top Scholar

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:59:52 +0000

Top Scholar admin Mon, 01/30/2012 - 12:59

Once. Twice. Three times a winner.

For the third year in a row, a 51��Ƶ-Dearborn student received Tau Sigma National Honor Society’s top scholarship.

Following in the footsteps of Timothy Fitch and Menas Houstoulakis, 51��Ƶ-Dearborn senior Meghan Liwienski recently received a $2,500 scholarship.

“It speaks volumes to the type of students that can be found at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn,” Liwienski said.

Tau Sigma National Honor Society is an academic society that recognizes and promotes the academic excellence and involvement of transfer students. 51��Ƶ-Dearborn established a campus chapter in 2009, becoming the first school in Michigan to do so.

Liwienski, campus chapter vice president, transferred from Schoolcraft College and said she felt “so welcomed and comfortable” once she stepped foot on campus.

“I found a home at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn,” said Liwienski, who aspires to become a high school English teacher.

Liwienski set herself apart from other scholarship applicants with her academic achievement and involvement in and service to 51��Ƶ-Dearborn, its chapter and the community.

She also credits Christopher Tremblay, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management and campus chapter advisor, for his assistance throughout the application process.

“I can’t say enough about how instrumental he’s been in shaping us into leaders, she said.

This year, Tau Sigma National Honor Society awarded 33 scholarships totaling $28,750.

Scholarships

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Mon, 01/30/2012 - 17:59

Sam Zehra scholarship fund established

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:33:47 +0000

Sam Zehra scholarship fund established admin Mon, 01/16/2012 - 17:33

On the surface, Sam Zehra and George Mitchell appear to be polar opposites.

Sam owned and operated an appliance store in Dearborn. He also owned a restaurant and furniture store, but Sam wasn’t a household name outside southeast Michigan.

Meanwhile, Mitchell is a former U.S. senator and served as Senate Majority Leader for six years. He played a major role in Northern Ireland’s peace process and Major League Baseball’s steroid investigation. And he recently served as U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace.

But that’s just on the surface. Under the surface, Sam and Sen. Mitchell are quite similar.

“He was just like Sen. Mitchell, or Sen. Mitchell was just like him,” said Alberta Abbott, Sam’s sister. “They did things because they wanted to help, not because they wanted the attention.”

That’s why Mrs. Abbott and her husband, George, established the Sam Zehra Scholarship Fund in honor of Sen. George J. Mitchell at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn. Dearborn residents pursuing a career in public service and diplomacy are eligible for the scholarship beginning in Fall 2012.

Sen. Mitchell said he was honored when 51��Ƶ-Dearborn asked to include his name on the scholarship.

“When I left the U.S. Senate, I established a scholarship fund for needy young students, so I’m aware of the importance of efforts like this,” he said. “I commend Alberta and George Abbott for their generosity and am happy to join with them in recognizing and paying tribute to Alberta’s beloved brother, Sam Zehra.”

Sam died in 1967, but many Dearborn residents still remember the generous businessman. They either bought a refrigerator from Sam, or he supplied uniforms to their kids’ baseball team. A former business associate said Sam often cut checks to churches of all denominations. And when hospitalized veterans were in need of radios, he sent 30.

“He was extremely kind,” Mrs. Abbott said. “He always took care of everyone else. Whatever he could do, he would do.”

After her brother’s death, Mrs. Abbott began to follow Sen. Mitchell’s career and grew a deep appreciation for his public service.

“He just goes about his way to make things good,” she said. “He never was like a politician. He was low-key and just went about his business to get things resolved.”

And although Sam and Sen. Mitchell didn’t know each other, Mrs. Abbott said her brother and the former senator had plenty in common. Sen. Mitchell said the stories Mrs. Abbott shared with him about Sam are a testament to his goodwill.

“According to many who knew him, Sam devoted his life to helping others, especially those in need,” he said. “His sister and her husband continue that tradition in establishing this scholarship.”

Scholarships

Victors for 51��Ƶ-Dearborn

College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters

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Mon, 01/16/2012 - 22:33