Michigan Retailers Association to Award 14 Scholarships for 2025-26 Academic Year
Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) is excited to announce the launch of its annual scholarship competition on Jan. 1, 2025, for the 2025-26 academic year. Through the MRA Foundation, 14 scholarships, each worth $3,500, will be awarded thanks to contributions from members, directors, employees, and other generous donors.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include high school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors and must meet one of the following criteria:
- Dependent children of owners or full-time employees of MRA member businesses. The parent or guardian must have been employed by an MRA member firm on or before Jan. 1, 2024.
- Part-time employees of MRA member businesses who are full-time students. Employment with an MRA member must have started on or before July 1, 2024.
Foundation’s Impact
Since 1999, the MRA Foundation has awarded 638 scholarships, totaling $744,750, to Michigan students.
Begin your application on Jan. 1, 2025. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2025.
Awards and Donors
MRA will award seven Platinum Legacy Scholarships in 2025:
- Paul M. Felice and Al Kessel Platinum Legacy Memorial Scholarship, the former Michigan Grocers Association chairman and director and the latter founded Kessel Food Markets
- Helen McCurry Platinum Legacy Scholarship, established by Joseph McCurry, MRA board member, in honor of his late wife
- Jean L. Sarasin Platinum Legacy Scholarship, retired Executive VP and COO of MRA and RIC
- D. Larry Sherman Platinum Legacy Scholarship, Board Member Emeritus
- Raymond A. and Mildred C. Sobelton Platinum Legacy Scholarship, established by MRA, RIC board member Peter Sobelton and sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Douglas Stranahan
- Joseph Swanson Platinum Legacy Scholarship, Big Springs Enterprises, Naubinway
- Walsh Family Platinum Legacy Scholarship, established by retired chief financial officer of Meijer, Inc., Jim Walsh and wife Kathy
MRA will also award seven MRA Legacy Scholarships funded by:
- Bo Brines and Family, Little Forks Outfitters, Midland
- Andrew Gemmen, Gemmen’s Ace Hardware, Hudsonville
- Bill Golden, Golden Shoes, Traverse City
- James Hallan, retired MRA President and CEO
- Jeff and Doreen Joyce, Mieras Family Shoes, Grand Rapids
- Becky Beauchine Kulka, Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds & Fine Jewelry, Okemos
- Dan Marshall, in honor of Willis W. and Mary Jane Marshall, Marshall Music Company, Lansing
- John Mayleben, retired MRA Senior VP, Technology and New Product Development, in honor of his late wife, Linda Mayleben
- Orin and Tina Mazzoni and Family, Orin Jewelers, Northville
- Larry and Gail Meyer, retired MRA President and CEO, Board Member Emeritus
- Judy and Rodney Phillips, Country Casuals, Petoskey
- W. Bruce and Joyce Rogers, Traverse City business owners and retail advocates
- Nathan Rosenfeld, Purchased Jacobson Stores, Inc. from the Jacbson 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
- Thomas Ungrodt, TDU Consulting, LLC
