WMU News

Gary, Janice Cramer set up scholarship

February 24, 1998

KALAMAZOO -- Gary L. and Janice A. Cramer of Kalamazoo Township have established a Western Michigan University scholarship for high school graduates who live in the township.

The Charter Township of Kalamazoo WMU Scholarship Fund will award $400 per year for two years to two students for tuition, fees and books. To qualify, recipients must have a 3.0 grade-point average and have been township residents during their junior and senior years of high school.

"Education has been a big part of our lives," said Gary Cramer, who began a second career as supervisor of the Charter Township of Kalamazoo in 1996. He retired from the Kalamazoo Public Schools as principal of Arcadia Elementary School after 28 years of service in the school district.

"I just wanted to repay those in the community who have had enough trust in me to elect me to the supervisor's position," Cramer said. Before becoming supervisor, Cramer served 16 years as a member of the township's Board of Trustees.

"This is a wonderful gesture for Gary and Jan to make," said Keith A. Pretty, president of the WMU Foundation. "Both of them have been loyal alumni of WMU. We very much appreciate their generosity and thoughtfulness."

Both Gary Cramer and Janice Cramer, his wife, are 1964 graduates of WMU, and Gary Cramer earned a master's degree in counseling and personnel at WMU in 1972. He currently serves as chairperson of the Mike Gary Athletic Fund. Janice Cramer, a former elementary teacher, owns and operates a pre-school in the Westwood neighborhood.

The scholarship is being supported by an annual cash donation of $1,600 and a $4,400 annuity for an annual contribution of $6,000. The total value of the scholarship fund is more than $100,000. Anyone may contribute to the fund at any time.

Scholarship information is available from the WMU Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships by calling 387-6000. Applications are available from the financial aid office at WMU or from the township offices at 1720 Riverview Drive, Kalamazoo MI 49004-1099. Applications should be completed by July 1 for the following fall semester.

Media contact: Mike Matthews; michael.matthews@wmich.edu


Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
616 387-8400
univ-rel@wmich.edu

http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news