~ Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars News - October 2023 ~

THIRD ANNUAL DOWNTOWN NETWORKING TAILGATE

The DRDFS Downtown Networking Tailgate took place on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at the One Campus Martius building in downtown Detroit. This unique networking event provided an opportunity for professionals from different companies in and around Detroit to come together to make new connections, learn more about DRDFS, and take in the incredible view. Alumni from the DRDFS Next Level Scholars program were on hand to share their stories and explain how DRDFS made a difference in their lives.

Anthony Catalina, Senior Vice President, with the event’s presenting sponsor Fifth Third Bank, took to the podium at the event to say that Fifth Third was “so glad to be supporting an organization like DRDFS which has such a meaningful impact on the students and communities of southeastern Michigan.” 

We would like to thank all who attended as well as all of our sponsors, especially our presenting sponsor, Fifth Third Bank, and our gold sponsors, BDO and Graber Pallet Company.

CLICK HERE to read more about alumni comments at the Downtown Networking Tailgate.

CLICK HERE to view the Downtown Networking Tailgate Facebook Photo Album

MIKE ZLONKEVICZ: BREAKING THE CYCLE

DRDFS alumni Mike Zlonkevicz grew up in a room painted maize and blue in honor of the University of Michigan football team’s colors. As the first in his family to go to college, not only was post-high-school academic path not a priority, it wasn’t even on his radar at the time.

With DRDFS, however, that all changed.

“Just the exposure to the college experience was hugely helpful. College trips, scholarship opportunities, you name it. Those early experiences with DRDFS really opened my eyes and broadened my horizons in so many ways.”

CLICK HERE to read more

NEXT LEVEL SCHOLARS VISIT UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

Our Next Level Scholars Juniors toured the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (UM-AA) a few weeks ago. Campus visits help inspire students to envision themselves at college and also help them understand what traits they are looking for in a college.

Students stated that they liked all of the student organizations on campus, the architecture of the buildings, seeing all of the bustling student activity, and learning fun facts about the campus.

Some students expressed that they preferred a smaller college than UM-AA while one shared, "This school is my dream school because it offers a multitude of different types of opportunities that will help me succeed in my academic career!"

DRDFS STUDENTS AWARDED THE TRAILBLAZER SCHOLARSHIP

Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars (DRDFS), in partnership with Scholarship America, awarded Trailblazer Scholarships to ten deserving DRDFS college students. The scholarship is a $4,000 per year award renewable for four years or until a Bachelor’s Degree is completed, whichever comes first.

This award is part of Scholarship America’s goal to grant a majority of their scholarships to high-need, historically marginalized students so they can realize the benefits of a high-quality college degree or credential. It also serves as an example of new ways to bring private-sector scholarship dollars and community-based student services together, in order to help students with financial needs succeed in college.

CLICK HERE to read more