Impact Report EMU senior Kathleen Welsh is no stranger to hard work: she’s worked full-time throughout her college career. “I’ve managed an aquatics team, been a nanny, a house-sitter, an aftercare worker, and a teacher aide,” said Welsh. “Anything to make a few dollars to pay for school!” At a time when many struggle to find the funds to attend college and graduates are drowning in debt, scholarships are crucial for student retention. “Coming up with $5,000 every three months is extremely difficult,” said Welsh, a recipient of the Jack and Joanne Stapleton and the Helen and Tarik Daoud Endowed Scholarships. “Scholarships go a long way toward relieving that anxiety.” Jack Stapleton and his wife, Joanne, held multiple degrees from EMU and pursued successful careers as educators. Both Stapletons passed away in 1993; Jack’s brother James established the scholarship in 1995. The award is granted to graduates of the Livonia or Southfield school systems studying teacher education at EMU. Tarik Daoud emigrated from Iraq in 1956. He married Helen in 1961 and worked for Al Long Ford, purchasing the dealership in 1971. The Daouds became well-known philanthropists focused on education. Their scholarship supports Wayne County residents pursuing elementary education. Tarik Daoud passed away in May 2015. “Without the generosity of my donors, I would honestly be struggling to pay for school,” Welsh said. “I cannot thank them enough.” She already has plans to pay it forward: “I’m looking forward to starting my career and putting the money I earn back into my students and the community instead of student loan debt.” “I could not be more thankful.” Kathleen Welsh embodies the dedication to education valued by her scholarship donors MAJOR: Early Childhood and Elementary Education GOALS: Lead preschool; incorporate Eastern philosophies into my work; influence democratic teaching and the immersion of the whole child in learning. WHY SHE CHOSE EMU: I’m blown away by the dedication of my professors. Dr. Dichtelmiller, Dr. Paciorek, and Dr. Beaubien push students because they’re invested in our success. They make time for one-on-one attention. I am so thankful to be taught by these outstanding professionals. ABOUT KATHLEEN WELSH Eastern Michigan University Foundation Summer 2015 Like our student body, the array of scholarships available at EMU is diverse. They cover every college, every discipline, and were established by donors from differing backgrounds. The commonality is that they provide often-crucial support to recipients. Scholarships help ease the growing financial burdens of college while motivating students to excel in their studies and stay on track to graduate. These scholarships exist because you established and contribute to them. This report provides a small snapshot of the impact of your continued support. You ARE the difference. Thank you for your generosity. - The EMU Foundation
Transcript
ImpactReport
EMU senior Kathleen Welsh is no stranger to hard work: she’s worked full-time throughout her college career. “I’ve managed an aquatics team, been a nanny, a house-sitter, an aftercare worker, and a teacher aide,” said Welsh. “Anything to make a few dollars to pay for school!”
At a time when many struggle to find the funds to attend college and graduates are drowning in debt, scholarships are crucial for student retention. “Coming up with $5,000 every three months is extremely difficult,” said Welsh, a recipient of the Jack and Joanne Stapleton and the Helen and Tarik Daoud Endowed Scholarships. “Scholarships go a long way toward relieving that anxiety.”
Jack Stapleton and his wife, Joanne, held multiple degrees from EMU and pursued successful careers as educators. Both Stapletons passed away in 1993; Jack’s
brother James established the scholarship in 1995. The award is granted to graduates of the Livonia or Southfield school systems studying teacher education at EMU.
Tarik Daoud emigrated from Iraq in 1956. He married Helen in 1961 and worked for Al Long Ford, purchasing the dealership in 1971. The Daouds became well-known philanthropists focused on education. Their scholarship supports Wayne County residents pursuing elementary education. Tarik Daoud passed away in May 2015.
“Without the generosity of my donors, I would honestly be struggling to pay for school,” Welsh said. “I cannot thank them enough.” She already has plans to pay it forward: “I’m looking forward to starting my career and putting the money I earn back into my students and the community instead of student loan debt.”
“I could not be more thankful.”Kathleen Welsh embodies the dedication to education valued by her scholarship donors
MAJOR: Early Childhood and Elementary Education
GOALS: Lead preschool; incorporate Eastern philosophies into my work; influence democratic teaching and the immersion of the whole child in learning.
WHY SHE CHOSE EMU: I’m blown away by the dedication of my professors. Dr. Dichtelmiller, Dr. Paciorek, and Dr. Beaubien push students because they’re invested in our success. They make time for one-on-one attention. I am so thankful to be taught by these outstanding professionals.
about kathleen welsh
E a s t e r n M i c h i g a n U n i v e r s i t y F o u n d a t i o n S u m m e r 2 0 1 5
Like our student body, the array of scholarships available at EMU is diverse. They cover every college, every discipline, and were established by donors from differing backgrounds. The commonality is that they provide often-crucial support to
recipients. Scholarships help ease the growing financial burdens of college while motivating students to excel in their studies and stay on track to graduate. These scholarships exist because you established and contribute to them. This report provides
a small snapshot of the impact of your continued support. You ARE the difference. Thank you for your generosity.
- The EMU Foundation
As years of cuts threaten to put college financially out of reach, your generosity makes a critical difference to EMU students.
SOURCE: CBPP Calculations using data from Illinois State University’s annual Grapevine Report and the State HigherEducation Executive Officers Association. Tuition data from College Board, “Trends in College Pricing: in 2014”. EMU-specific data from EMU Financial Aid Office and the 2014 EMU Data Book.
28% are first-generation college students
The 2015 Undergraduate Symposium, showcasing
year-long research and creative projects,
featured 500 student participants
supported by 200 faculty members
Average college tuition in Michigan is up
22.7% since 2008
EMU enrolled
18,341undergraduate students
81% receive
financial aid
$7,000+ average need-based aid package per student
State fundingwent down
23.1% during this
period
37% awarded scholarships
almost
60% is need-based
of Undergraduate Symposium participants are
scholarship recipients
25%
M
ORE
TH
AN
EMU Scholarship Impact
Homelessness
Over 80% of students from foster care aspire to go to college - but only 3% obtain a bachelor’s degree by age 25. Many have experienced housing instability and lack a support system. EMU’s MAGIC (Mentorship, Access and Guidance in College) program and accompanying scholarship fund aim to help these students succeed.
MAGIC is a federally-funded program that helps foster care alumni obtain independent living skills and successfully transition into adulthood. The MAGIC Scholarship Fund assists with the cost of college tuition.
“Anyone pursuing a degree knows how difficult it is to finance an education,” said
Joi Rencher, an independent living skills coach/coordinator for MAGIC. “It’s exponentially harder for someone without a family or support system to call on for help. We try to alleviate some of the hardships that might otherwise cause our students to give up on their education.”
“MAGIC helps me on so many levels,” said Hope Pierson, a senior majoring in social work. “It provides support, introduces me to resources on campus, assists financially, and teaches me how to self-advocate.”
Desi Merritt, a sophomore double-majoring in biology and theatre, agrees: “MAGIC has had an enormous impact on my success at EMU. Without Joi and the mentors, I wouldn’t be able to stay sane, and the scholarships have kept me in school.”
“MAGIC has created a community of support and encouragement at EMU,” said Rencher. “We’ve witnessed successes like graduation, applying to graduate school, and gaining a sense of belonging—things many of our students never thought they’d have. This scholarship fund is critical for the continuation of our work.”
Find out more at www.emich.edu/magic
MAGIC makes an Impact
They can use a little magic…
48% foster care
alumni
80% general
population
Find employment*
Mean annual income*
$13,989
$32,312
foster care alumni
general population
Considering these statistics, help from the MAGIC Program and Scholarship Fund can seem truly magical to students coming from the foster care system.
Higher education
Post-traumatic stress**
Post-traumatic stress rates among foster care alumni
are HIGHER than among war veterans.
% who are homeless for one day or more after
aging out of foster care
* Courtney et al, 2011 ** Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative, 2007 *** Day et al, 2011
22%
Drop out of college before completing a degree***
33% foster care alumni
18% general population
Complete bachelor’s degree by age 25
3% foster care alumni
24% general population
vs
vs
TOP MAGIC participant Desare “Desi” Merritt
BOTTOM The EMU MAGIC team (left to right): Megan DeVoe, Courtney Smith, Brittany Bartkowiak, Joi Rencher
In 2009, 18-year old Ryan Clark’s life was cut tragically short by a weather-related automobile accident. His family was devastated, yet determined to turn the tragedy into something positive.
“We always taught our kids that there’s one thing no one can ever take away from you: an education,” said Rory, Ryan’s father, a graduate of EMU’s construction management program. The family founded the Ryan’s Run Foundation, establishing scholarships at EMU and Ferris State University (where Ryan was a student).
Scholarship funds are bolstered by the annual Ryan’s Run for Education, a 5K trail race held in Washington Township. “Ryan ran cross-country and track all through high school, so having a run in his honor just made sense,” said Rory.
Running for RyanEMU alum establishes scholarship in memory of his son
Ryan Clark
On June 11, over 250 EMU students, alumni, and donors received exclusive evening access to the Detroit Institute of Arts’ Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in Detroit exhibit. The event, featuring guided tours by DIA staff, a cocktail reception, and a special behind-the-scenes look at the DIA paper conservation lab, raised funds for the Richard Rubenfeld Endowed Scholarship in Art History.
TRUEMU at the DIA raises funds for art history scholarships
The Clarks elected to support construction-related programs because of Rory’s background and Ryan’s choice to study HVAC. “We want to ensure that deserving students get the support they need to complete their construction education,” said Rory. “As a graduate, I believe that EMU’s construction management program was well-suited for this funding.”
The 2015 Ryan’s Run for Education was held June 20. For more information on the 2016 run and the Ryan Matthew Clark Endowed Construction Scholarship at EMU, visit www.ryansrun5k.org.
