MRA’s annual scholarship competition will launch on Jan. 1 for the 2024-25 academic year. The Foundation will award 13 scholarships, each worth $3,500. Contributions to the MRA Foundation come from MRA members, directors and employees, and other donors.
Those eligible to apply are high school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are:
1. Dependent children of owners of MRA member businesses, or of full-time employees of MRA member firms. The parent- employee must have been employed by a MRA member on, or before, Jan. 1, 2023.
– OR –
2. Part-time employees of MRA member businesses who are full-time students. Part-time employees must have been employed by a MRA member firm on, or before, July 1, 2023.
Scholarship Amounts Increase to 13
The Foundation added a new Platinum Legacy Scholarship for the 2024-25 program year. The Jean L. Sarasin Platinum Legacy Scholarship brings the total number of scholarships awarded to 13. Sarasin is the retired Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Michigan Retailers Association and Retailers Insurance Company. She serves as Chair of the Retailers Insurance Company Board of Directors.
The following contributors have helped establish our seven Platinum Legacy awards:
Paul M. Felice and Al Kessel Memorial Platinum Legacy Scholarship
Paul M. Felice is former Michigan Grocers Association chairman and director and Kessel founded Kessel Food Markets in Saginaw and Flint.
Helen McCurry Platinum Legacy Scholarship (established by Joseph McCurry in honor of his late wife)
Joseph is an executive with Credit Card Group, based in Georgia, previous executive with Dovetail Alliance and The High Point Group, retired Detroit district general manager for Sears, Roebuck and Co., and former staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.
Jean L. Sarasin Platinum Legacy Scholarship
Jean is retired Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Michigan Retailers Association and Retailers Insurance Company.
D. Larry Sherman Platinum Legacy Scholarship
Operated Sherman’s Shoes in downtown Birmingham, founded by his parents, Fred E. and Lillian in 1925.
Raymond A. and Mildred C. Sobelton Platinum Legacy Scholarship (established by Peter Sobelton and sister and brother-in- law, Barbara and Douglas Stranahan)
Peter formerly owned Sundries Plus and Churchill’s Ltd., tobacco and gift stores in Birmingham.
Joseph Swanson Platinum Legacy Scholarship
Retired District Team Leader for Target Corp. and current consultant with Big Springs Enterprises in Naubinway.
Walsh Family Platinum Legacy Scholarship (established by Jim & Kathy Walsh)
Jim is retired chief financial officer of Meijer, Inc. and taught finance at Aquinas College.
Michigan Retailers Association will award six MRA Legacy Scholarships, along with the seven Platinum Legacy Scholarships. Their donors include:
Bo Brines and Family
Owner of Little Forks Outfitters, located in Midland
Andrew Gemmen
President and co-owner of Gemmen’s Home and Hardware in Hudsonville
Bill Golden
Co-president of Golden Shoes, a centennial retailer in Traverse City
James Hallan
Retired president and CEO of Michigan Retailers Association
Jeff and Doreen Joyce
Jeff operates Mieras Family Shoes, a centennial retailer located in Grand Rapids
Becky Beauchine Kulka
Owns Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds & Fine Jewelry located in Okemos
Dan Marshall, in honor of Willis W. and Mary Jane Marshall
Dan is president of Marshall Music Company, based in Lansing
John Mayleben, in honor of his late wife, Linda Mayleben
John is the retired Senior Vice President technology and new product development at Michigan Retailers Association
Orin and Tina Mazzoni and Family
Orin Jr. is president of Orin Jewelers, Inc., a family-owned business in Northville
Larry and Gail Meyer
Larry is retired President and CEO of Michigan Retailers Association
Judy and Rodney Phillips
Rod owns Country Casuals in Petoskey
W. Bruce and Joyce M. Rogers
Bruce and Joyce owned Bartling’s, a women’s clothing store, in Traverse City from 1972 to 2001
Nathan Rosenfeld
Purchased Jacobson Stores, Inc. from the Jacobson family in 1939
Mark Schrag and Friends
Mark and wife Nancy owned and operated Seasons in Okemos
Kenneth A. and Margaret Schwark, established by their sons James, Tom and Michael
Kenneth founded southeast Michigan’s Schwark Furniture store chain, Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Macomb Twp., and helped construct the Shelby Square shopping center in Shelby Twp.
Barb Stein
Retired owner of Great Northern Trading Co. in Rockford
Tom Ungrodt
President of TDU Consulting, LLC
Since its inception in 1999, the Foundation has awarded 625 scholarships to Michigan students, totaling almost $700,000. For a complete list of Foundation donors, visit Retailers.com/mra-foundation-contributors.
The application period begins on Jan. 1. To learn more, or start an app, visit Retailers.com/member-benefits/scholarship-program.
