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Michigan Colleges Foundation Introduces 5-Year, $5 Million Strategic Plan

31 May 2000

Michigan Colleges Foundation Introduces 5-Year, $5 Million Strategic Plan

     MCF Board of Trustees Votes to Double Impact on Member Institutions
           And Increase the Annual Revenue for Scholarship Programs

    DETROIT, May 31 The Michigan Colleges Foundation (MCF)
Board of Trustees voted to implement a 5-year strategic plan that will provide
over $5 million in total financial impact for member colleges and to increase
dramatically the annual revenue for scholarship programs.  The vote was held
at their annual meeting at General Motors Global Headquarters at the
Renaissance Center.
    William H. Liebold, II, president of MCF, noted that the total impact on
the 14-member institutions could be in excess of $5 million and that the
annual revenue for scholarship programs will increase to $3 million.  "MCF has
raised nearly $60 million since its inception in 1949 and this year alone is
providing 361 students with scholarships.  Our new strategic plan could double
our impact on students and schools alike."
    The annual meeting luncheon was attended by the MCF trustees, presidents
of the participating colleges, as well as twenty-five students who have
received scholarships from the organization.  Participants heard a mock news
broadcast given by WJR Business Editor Tom Campbell and a speech given by
keynote speaker Roderick D. Gillum, General Motors vice president of corporate
relations and diversity.
    Gillum presented the MCF with a check for $40,000 to provide eight four-
year scholarships to students from Detroit public high schools who are
pursuing a career in engineering or business management.  "GM has a long-
standing commitment to education and has consistently been a leader among
contributors to the educational community.  Many of the programs receiving our
support are designed to create educational opportunities for minority men and
women as they prepare for careers in engineering, science, mathematics and
business," Gillum noted.
    Liebold said, "Since 1955 General Motors has been an enthusiastic and
generous supporter of the MCF - both in its financial support and in hosting
the annual meeting.  The MCF is grateful to all of the businesses and
foundations that support our goal, which is to provide students access to a
values-based, high quality education."
    MCF's 14 participating institutions are independent, four-year, liberal
arts colleges, accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and
Secondary Schools.  The 14 member institutions are small (averaging 2,100
students) with their primary mission being teaching (not research) and
imparting students with an appropriate set of values, leadership skills, and a
lifelong desire for learning.  They are: Adrian College, Albion College, Alma
College, Andrews University, Aquinas College, Calvin College, Hillsdale
College, Hope College, Kalamazoo College, Madonna University, Marygrove
College, Olivet College, Siena Heights University, and Spring Arbor College.