Oakland University alumni and friends turned out to show their support for student scholarships by attending the first Grizzly Gala, chaired by OU alumna Lynn Gross, SBA ’87. Held at the Royal Park Hotel in downtown Rochester, attendees enjoyed a live auction that included tickets to the Ellen DeGeneres show, a getaway to the Rocky Mountains, an upper level suite at The Palace of Auburn Hills to see the Detroit Pistons play, and a diamond necklace courtesy of Lucido Fine Jewelry.
Proceeds from the event raised $23,000 for the Oakland University Alumni Association scholarship fund and OU students. “The OUAA Scholarship program allows students to achieve their dream of pursuing an OU degree,” Gross said. “Our scholarship endowment fund totals more than 1.2 million dollars, allowing us to provide nearly 40 scholarships each year to high achieving students who deserve an Oakland education.”
Scholarships give students the time and energy to focus on their studies, to get involved, and to take part in research, athletics and other activities. “Scholarships allow our students to experience college without financial worry, and that can be such an important factor in their academic success,” Susan Davies Goepp, vice president for University Relations and executive director of the OU Foundation, said.
Oakland University student Rachael Schulskie, who graduated from the School of Nursing in May, agree. “This [Nursing Alumni Scholarship] made it possible for me to maintain my grades, be as active as I wanted, and work at my dream job. I am grateful every day to those who made this possible for me. This scholarship made a difference in my life, so that I can go out and make a difference in the lives of others.”
Schulskie began work at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in the pediatric intensive care unit soon after graduation.
Many OU alumni volunteered their time to serve on the Grizzly Gala Event Committee and the Honorary Committee with planning for the event beginning more than a year ago. “I couldn’t be more pleased with our results,” Adrienne Bass, director of Alumni Relations, said. “Kudos to everyone who worked so hard to make this event a success. We couldn’t have done it without your dedication.”
Several local businesses donated in-kind services for the gala, including Trent Design based in downtown Rochester; The Parsonage, a floral business in Clarkston, owned by alumna Liz Stotz, CAS ’94; and the Royal Park Hotel, which donated desserts for the evening.