West Bloomfield, MI (July 14, 2013) — Love of computer technology has taken Scott Trudeau from suburban Detroit to New York City, where he’s a key player in two extremely popular lifestyle websites.
And he did it all with a hand from the MIRA, which helped him begin his college education with a $1,500 scholarship.
The son of Terry and Susan Trudeau of Clinton Township, Scott was one of the first recipients of the MIRA’s academic award in July 1998. Since then, about 500 students have been awarded scholarships totaling nearly $75,000.
“The scholarship very definitely was welcome,” said Trudeau during a recent visit with his parents to show off his infant daughter. “It was of great assistance for getting me through my undergraduate years. It helped me get off to a good start.
“It was the only scholarship I ever received. Other than that, I worked my way through college.”
Trudeau noted that his father, Terry, still works for Hubert Distributors, whose MIRA membership qualified him for the scholarship.
This year, qualifying students in Michigan and Ohio will each receive $1,500 in college scholarships. The MIRA Foundation will present the Michigan winners at the 5th Annual Josepg D. Sarafa Scholarship Luncheon being held at the Detroit Athletic Club on July 23, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. Keynote speakers this year are Senator Majority Leader Randy Richardville and Emeka Nwankpah, Director of Ethics and Compliance for Kellogg.
The Ohio winners will be presented their awards at the 9th Annual Ohio Golf Tournament on July 18, 2013.
The MIRA Foundation awards academic scholarships worth $1,500 each to extraordinary students in Michigan and from Ohio every year. A total of $56,000 in scholarships will awarded this year, which includes an additional $3,000 in scholarships to Western Michigan University and $1,000 to both the ACC and CFA. The MIRA Foundation’s funding, established with the help from Pepsi and DTE, has awarded over $600,000 in scholarships.
To be eligible, a student must be employed by an MIRA member company for at least six months as of Jan. 1; be the son or daughter of a parent who has been a full- or part-time employee of an MIRA member company for at least one year as of Jan. 1; or an MIRA Michigan member customer and their children.
Scholarship winners are chosen by a panel of educators. To insure impartiality in the selection of winners, the program is administered by International Scholarship & Tuition Services, which specializes in the administration of sponsored scholarship programs.
Winners normally are notified by June 1. Michigan winners must attend the MIRA Foundation Joseph D. Sarafa Scholarship Luncheon, while Ohio winners must attend the MIRA/Liberty USA Annual Golf Outing. Both events usually take place in mid- to late July. Those who do not attend will forfeit their award.
About MIRA
MIRA is Michigan-based trade association representing thousands of independent retailers in Michigan, Ohio and surrounding Midwest states. MIRA was established in 1910.