Member News

“Awarding more than $1 million in scholarships is a notable milestone for MSGCU given we are a credit union rooted in education and service,” said MSGCU President/CEO, Peter Gates. “It has been and continues to be our honor to assist students and educators over the past 18 years through the scholarship program. Our scholarships are also a way to promote valuable lifelong learning among aspiring students and dedicated educators.”

MSGCU received applications from more than 100 high schools across Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties, as well as other academic institutions in Michigan during the 2022 scholarship application period. The caliber of the applicants and their accomplishments was inspiring.

After careful review and consideration of applications, which exceeded 330 submissions, MSGCU is pleased to award 35 candidates, 31 students and four educators, with $2,500 scholarships.

Totaling more than $110,000 this year for students, educators and first responders, the scholarship program is one way MSGCU shows its commitment to education. Additionally, MSGCU is proud to provide more than $45,000 annually in classroom grants for local teachers. The Credit Union also donates time and resources to local non-profits making a difference in the community and provides free educational programs to local schools and educators.

More recently, the Credit Union donated $70,000 in grants to nearly 100 local elementary school libraries to help with the purchase of essential books to fill the shelves of school libraries in need with new books to foster the love of reading and learning for young students.

2022 Scholarship Honorees

The William Cayen Skilled Trades Scholarship is named after current Board Chairman, William Cayen, who has a passion for helping students achieve their dreams and follow their passions. William Cayen has served on the MSGCU Board for more than 50 years. He retired from public education after serving 35 years as a teacher, counselor, and high school principal. The William Cayen Skilled Trades Scholarship was established in 2019 to help offset the cost of a certificate program in carpentry, electrical, construction, HVAC, machining, or other industrial skilled trades, which are in high demand in Michigan.

The four recipients of the William Cayen Skilled Trades Scholarship are:

• Jeremiah Barnes, Dorsey Schools
• Heather Bowers, Oakland Community College
• Elijah Moussiaux, Oakland Community College
• Jerry Weston Jr., Oakland Community College

The Rudolph Heino High School Scholarship is named in honor of the late Rudolph C. Heino. Mr. Heino served as a dedicated Board Member for 28 years and retired as a principal from the Roseville School District, where he served for 32 years. In 2004, MSGCU established a scholarship program to honor his commitment and tenure of service to both the educational and credit union communities. The Rudolph Heino High School Scholarship recognizes high school seniors committed to inspiring others through service and leadership and upholding the credit union philosophy of people helping people.

The five recipients of the Rudolph Heino High School Scholarship are:

• Kristina Fusco, Dakota High School
• Jayanti Gupta, International Academy East
• Emma Jasina, L’Anse Creuse High School
• Anthony Lack, Franklin High School
• Olivia Pinto, Utica High School

The Larry Swantek Educational Studies Scholarship is named in honor of the late Lawrence F. Swantek, who served on the Board for 32 years. Mr. Swantek retired from teaching in the Lake Shore School District where he served as a teacher, a computer consultant, and an administrator. MSGCU established a scholarship in 2012 to honor his dedication and passion as an educator. The Larry Swantek Educational Studies Scholarship recognizes high school seniors and current college students committed to pursuing the field of education as a career.

The four recipients of the Larry Swantek Educational Studies Scholarship are:  

• Janine Adamski, Dakota High School
• Pamella Kraemer, Oakland University
• Kaitlyn Mack, Central Michigan University
• Makayla Micou, Oakland University

The Milo Perreault Educator Advantage Scholarship is named in honor of the late Milo J. Perreault, who served on the MSGCU Board for 24 years. His passion for education was demonstrated in his 40-year tenure at Fraser High School where he mentored countless students and became a pillar in the school community. Established in 2015 and renamed to honor Mr. Perreault in 2020, the Milo Perreault Educator Advantage scholarship is designed for educators and administrators to help cover the costs of continuing education while honoring a commitment to advancing their skills.

The four recipients of the Milo Perreault Educator Advantage Scholarship are:

• Meredith Beard, Michigan State University
• Aaron Frontiera, University of Detroit Mercy
• Rosa Hough, Central Michigan University
• Kayla Schultz, Oakland University

The Educational Solutions Scholarship is designed for high school seniors planning to attend a two- or four-year college or university. The scholarship helps offset the cost of earning a degree while celebrating higher education’s ability to change lives for the better.

The 18 recipients of the Educational Solutions Scholarship are:

• William Aye, Northville High School
• Carsyn Boggio, Romeo High School
• Avery Campbell, West Bloomfield High School
• Samuel Curcuru, Bloomfield Hills High School
• Danielle Depakakibo, Henry Ford II High School
• Garrett Flynn, University Liggett High School
• Anika Ghosh, West Bloomfield High School
• Stephanie Harizanova, Henry Ford II High School
• Olivia Holley, Fraser High School
• Nina Johnson, Farmington High School
• James Kouza, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
• Waylon Krolczyk, St. Clair High School
• Emma Oresky, L’Anse Creuse High School
• Hannah Salembier, Chippewa Valley High School
• Margaret Stenger, Marian High School
• Robert Thompson, Eisenhower High School
• Ashley Webber, Romeo High School
• Zachary Wheeler, Chippewa High School

In addition to MSGCU’s educational, skilled trades, and continuing education scholarships, MSGCU offers the Stephen Thomas First Responder Scholarship. The scholarship is named in honor of the late Stephen E. Thomas, who served on the MSGCU Board for 21 years. He was a Vietnam War Veteran, a retired Sergeant of the Macomb County Sheriff Department, and retired as the Administrator of the Special Investigation Unit for Michigan Basic Property Insurance Association. The scholarship is offered to cadets enrolled in the fire and police academies at Macomb Community, Oakland Community, and Schoolcraft Colleges. A total of $24,000 in scholarships will be awarded through these programs in 2022.

MSGCU applauds the 2022 honorees. Visit msgcuscholarships.org to learn more about the MSGCU scholarship program.

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About Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union Founded by a small group of educators, MSGCU has been providing quality financial services to the community for more than 66 years and welcomes everyone in Michigan to bank with them. MSGCU offers a full range of loan, deposit, checking, credit card, mortgage, and insurance products for those that live in Michigan. With 17 branch offices in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties, MSGCU has more than 135,000 members, $3 billion in assets, and has earned a 96% member satisfaction rating for two decades. MSGCU has also earned five stars, as reported by Bauer Financial, for more than 30 years, and has been honored as a Top Workplace by The Detroit Free Press for the past nine consecutive years. MSGCU is insured by NCUA and an equal housing lender. For more information contact Erika Thrubis, Marketing Communications Manager, at ethrubis@msgcu.org  and (586) 263-8800 ext. 941.