More than 180 donors, scholarship recipients and faculty members filled the commons area of the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences on May 16 for the 2012 Donors and Scholars luncheon and program. The group was welcomed by Dean Lloyd Y. Young, who said, "Today is about recognizing the generosity of our donors. Thank you for choosing to support students in our pharmacy and health sciences programs and investing in the future of the Detroit health care system." He noted that the scholarships for 2012 provided more than $166,000 in tuition assistance for 135 students.

Karen Spiteri, the first recipient of the Hanley N. and Young Hee Abramson Scholarship, spoke at the event. A student in the doctor of pharmacy class of 2013 and mother of two young boys, she expressed her deep gratitude. "The key to students' success during academic challenges is knowing that there is someone who has confidence in our abilities and cares about our success," she said. "I want to thank each of our donors for their key role in that support system. Your generosity means so very much to students who know there is someone on their side."

Spiteri added that scholarship support helps students to be more involved in student organizations, attend more local and national meetings, participate in patient care projects and further develop themselves as professionals. Personally, she said she is always faced with choices in balancing home and school responsibilities. The Abramson scholarship is helping ease her concerns about finances for her schooling.

In all, the Donors and Scholars program recognized 52 named scholarships, seven of which are new this year. Twenty of the scholarships had multiple recipients. Triston Kimball, a master's degree student in the occupational therapy program and a recipient of the Barbara Henderson Miller Scholarship, also spoke at the event. She said, "It is truly a privilege to receive this scholarship."

The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is grateful to all its scholarship donors for their important role in supporting our students as they pursue careers in the health sciences," said Dean Young. "I also am encouraged by scholarship recipients who share their hope to give back and support scholarships for future students."

Scholarships help students from diverse backgrounds expand their job prospects and follow their dreams for life after graduation. For information on supporting scholarships or establishing a named scholarship at the college, please contact Tiffany Cusmano at 313-577-0273 or tcusmano@wayne.edu.