In addition to easing the burden of debt, scholarships inspire and motivate the students who receive them.
“Getting recognized with this award not only increases my motivation to succeed, but also honors my cultural heritage and the contribution diversity provides to the medical field,” says Maria Ruiz, D.O.’13, recipient of DMU’s Glanton Scholarship.
Many alumni and friends have responded to the critical need for scholarship funds. The annual dinner supporting the Glanton Scholarship, which funds scholarships for students under-represented in medicine and health care, raised nearly $230,300 this year. The College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Alumni Board has defined one of its priorities as increasing the Rebecca A. Stills Memorial Scholarship Fund to $100,000; that fund honors a late CPMS employee known for her strong support of podiatric medicine students.In addition, a number of College of Osteopathic Medicine alumni are strong advocates of the annual COM Golf Benefit, which raises scholarship funds for D.O. students. In 2009, the college awarded seven $5,000 scholarships generated by the event. The sixth annual golf benefit will occur Thursday, May 27, at Waveland Golf Course in Des Moines.
“The thing that really compels me is giving opportunities to students today that previous generations gave to me,” says Barry Braver, D.O.’79, a family medicine physician in Detroit who supports the golf outing every year.
The 2009 Glanton honoree was internationally famed operatic bass-baritone Simon Estes.
For information on creating opportunities for students through scholarships, contact the DMU development office at 515-271-1387, or visit www.dmu.edu/donations.