Schostak family makes $1 million pledge to OUWB School of Medicine

The Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine will be the beneficiary of a $1 million pledge from the Schostak Family Philanthropic Foundation, based in Livonia, Mich. The deferred gift to Oakland University and William Beaumont Hospitals is unrestricted and will be used by each of them to support their new school of medicine, wherever the need is greatest.

The family was recently honored for their generous support at a private dinner on the Oakland University campus.

"This generous pledge from the Schostak Family comes just as we prepare to welcome our charter class," said Dr. Robert Folberg, founding dean of the OUWB School of Medicine. "The pledge will have a lasting impact on the educational mission of our new school and we are grateful to the Schostak Family for their support."

For the Schostaks, philanthropy is part of a shared family philosophy. "We have a set of core values for our business and for our family. One of those core values is giving back. You have a responsibility, if you are able, to give back to your community whether in education, health care or the arts," said David Schostak, co-president of Schostak Brothers & Company, Inc., speaking on behalf of the Schostak Family Philanthropic Foundation.

Schostak Brothers & Company has supported a variety of civic and charitable organizations throughout metropolitan Detroit, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the New Detroit Science Center, the Detroit Institute of Arts and Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan. The Schostak Family Philanthropic Foundation places a strong emphasis on education, providing scholarships and other support for institutions such as the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, University of Michigan, Oakland University and Wayne State University.

"We are deeply grateful for the generosity of the Schostak family and their enthusiastic support of the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. As charter members of the OUWB School of Medicine Founders' Society, the Schostak family is helping to establish a solid foundation for the school, upon which it will grow in scope, scale and achievement," said Gene Michalski, president, Beaumont Health System.

"This exceptional support from the Schostak family will have a direct and meaningful impact on the students and faculty of the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. Philanthropic investment gives an institution strength and ensures a school's ability to provide the very best for its students, "said Gary Russi, president, Oakland University.

Oakland University and Beaumont Health System began the process of creating a new allopathic (M.D.) medical school in 2007. The school was granted preliminary accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education in February 2010. It will welcome its first class of 50 students on Monday, Aug. 8.