A total of 271 high school, college and nontraditional students were awarded scholarships at the Saginaw Community Foundation’s Excellence in Education event on May 20, 2013. 169 students received scholarships valued at an average of $1,400 each. 115 students each received Saginaw Promise Zone scholarships valued at up to $2,000 per year for up to two years.

“The purpose of the annual Excellence in Education event is to recognize, award and inspire students who have earned scholarships from the Saginaw Community Foundation,” said LeeAnn Martuch, program officer at the foundation. “We also honor the donors who have established scholarship funds at the foundation.”

Since 1987, the foundation has awarded more than $2.8 million to students to help them achieve their educational goals.

“Education is vital to the growth and future of every community. Scholarships can help people in our region obtain a degree, certificate or other training that will help further their aspirations and goals,” said Reneé Johnston, president and CEO at the foundation.

The foundation currently administers about 150 scholarships that have been established by its donors as well as the Saginaw Promise Zone scholarships.

“People traditionally think scholarships are just for high school seniors,” Martuch said. “But the Saginaw Community Foundation offers scholarships for all sorts of people – from displaced workers to the single mother just returning to school to a student working full-time and attending college part-time.”

The keynote speaker at the event was David McMillon. McMillon, an Arthur Hill High School and Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy alumnus, completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) in mathematical sciences with minors in physics and complex systems in 2012. He is now pursuing a dual master’s degree in Applied Mathematics and Industrial and Operations Engineering. He hopes to continue graduate studies in MIT Sloan’s Operations Research program and pursue a career in public sector operations research and management consulting.

McMillion spoke “from the heart” while addressing the scholarship recipients on what to expect when they arrive at their college campuses in the fall. He urged students to be disciplined in tending to their studies and to avoid distractions.

“Pursuing your degree is not a race-to-the-finish,” said McMillion. “If you are planning to take a challenging class, give yourself plenty of time in your schedule to complete the required work. There is no need to take 18 credits each semester. Take your time and do a good job.”

People can begin applying for 2014-2015 scholarships on Nov. 1, 2013. More information is available at saginawfoundation.org.