Emeriti Council funds $9,200 in student scholarships

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Twenty-three deserving undergraduate students at Western Michigan University have been awarded $400 Emeriti Council Book Scholarships to help them purchase textbooks and school supplies.

A total of $9,200 in book scholarships was given away this fall. Representatives from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships selected the recipients on the basis of financial need and academic merit.

The Emeriti Council established the scholarships in 2004 to help students defray the high cost of textbooks, which can add significantly to college expenses. Since then, generous WMU emeriti faculty members have awarded $84,000 to 239 students, many of whom have written to the council and expressed their deep gratitude for this unexpected financial assistance.

About the Emeriti Council

The Emeriti Council is a 12-person body elected by and from the University's emeriti—employees, usually faculty members, who have been given the honor of retaining their University titles after retiring. Members serve for two-year terms on a staggered basis.

The organization's principal goals are to:

• Maintain open lines of communication between the emeriti and WMU's administration and faculty.
• Foster strong relationships between the emeriti and the University.
• Support and serve the emeriti in various ways.
• Support the University's growth and development.

In addition to the Emeriti Council Book Scholarships, the council oversees the Emeriti Council Medallion Scholarship Fund. At present, three students are benefitting from the latter scholarships, which are now valued at $50,000 over four years.

Making a donation

Gifts to either the Book or Medallion scholarship funds are tax deductible and, regardless of size, important to WMU students.

To help support one or both of these scholarships, make a gift by credit card at mywmu.com/mygift or, making sure to indicate your gift designation, send a check payable to the WMU Foundation to: WMU Foundation, Gift Processing Office, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5403.

For more information about the counci, visit wmich.edu/emeriti.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.