An alumnus of the Wayne State University School of Medicine who strongly values education is willing to put his financial backing behind that stand.

Michael J. Peikert, M.D., and his wife, Frances, have established four different scholarships at various schools and foundations, among them the Wayne State University School of Medicine. The couple decided to establish these scholarships by dedicating a percentage of their trust to provide future funding.

The scholarships, Dr. Peikert explained, should be available to students on a needs-based determination.

"My wife and I both grew up in blue collar families. We feel that higher education has been very valuable to us," Dr. Peikert said. "We stressed education to our children and want to see as many people as possible attain their life goals through education. We also feel that society as a whole will benefit with a more educated population. I received an excellent education at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and I feel this is a good way to say 'thanks.'"

Dr. Peikert recommends other alumni make the same commitment as a way of giving back and assisting future generations of physicians who may not have the wherewithal to attend college or secure medical training.

"Those of us who attended college and medical school 30 or 40 years ago were lucky to have much of our education funded through government support," Dr. Peikert said. "Because much of that funding has dried up, many of today's students are burdened with much higher debt upon graduation."

Dr. Peikert graduated from the School of Medicine in 1977. He completed his residency in emergency medicate at Detroit General Hospital in 1980, and now practices at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.

Mrs. Peikert practiced as a licensed dietitian for many years before going back to college. She now teaches math part-time to academically gifted junior high school students in Kalamazoo.

The Peikerts, who live in Hickory Corners, Mich., have two children, Christopher, 31, who has a bachelor's degree, master's degree and doctorate degree in math and computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Stephanie, 29, who has a bachelor's degree in environmental studies.