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Eleven WMU students from Detroit get Archer awards

Oct. 6, 2006

KALAMAZOO--The Dennis W. Archer Foundation has awarded a total of $50,000 to 11 students from Detroit attending Western Michigan University.

Nine of the students were given $5,000 awards, while two received $2,500 each. The foundation also awarded $50,000 in scholarships to 10 students from Detroit who attend Wayne State University, bringing the total scholarships awarded by the foundation to $100,000 for the 2006-07 academic year.

The 2006 Archer Scholars were recognized during the Archer Foundation's fourth annual scholarship awards reception Sept. 26, at the Roostertail in Detroit. This brings the total to 75 awards and $365,000 over the six years since the Archer Foundation's initial event in 2001. This year's Archer Scholars are graduates of 10 Detroit high schools: Cass Technical, Central, Davis Aerospace, East Catholic, Martin Luther King Jr., McKenzie, Murray-Wright, Northern, Renaissance and Southwestern.

Through a permanent endowment, the Archer Foundation makes contributions to scholarships principally for Detroit students attending WMU and WSU and majoring primarily in areas dedicated to public service. Dennis Archer, formerly mayor of Detroit, received his undergraduate degree from WMU's College of Education in 1965 and an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree in 1987. He currently serves on the WMU Board of Trustees.

"Our goal is to fund 25 scholars each year and, through the continuing support of so many who share Mayor Archer's commitment to young people, our endowment continues to be strong," says Ronald E. Hall Sr., foundation president and chief executive officer of Bridgewater Interiors. "We hope each Archer Scholar's success story will inspire new contributors and new participants, as future students pursue their dream of a college education."

A minimum 2.5 grade point average is required. Preferred areas of study include pre-law, political science or education, but all undergraduates are eligible even if majoring in other areas.

2006 Archer Scholars attending WMU

Christopher Early, $2,500, electrical engineering, Davis Aerospace High School.

Durian Green, $5,000, Cass Technical High School.

Jarel Jackson, $5,000, aeronautical engineering, Cass Technical High School.

Gregory Jones Jr., $5,000, communication, Renaissance High School.

Jason Leverett, $5,000, journalism, Cass Technical High School.

Ashley McKinney, $5,000, biomedical sciences, Cass Technical High School.

Michelle Murphy, $5,000, global and international studies, Martin Luther King Jr. High School.

Victoria Parks, $5,000, psychology, East Catholic High School.

Shela'ya Sanchez, $5,000, education, Cass Technical High School.

Josephine Swift, $5,000, business, Cass Technical High School.

Julia Willis, $2,500, psychology, Murray-Wright High School.

Media contact: Mark Schwerin, (269) 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu

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