Supporters and friends of U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick have established the Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick Endowed Scholarship at Wayne State University. The scholarship, created with gifts totaling $25,000, will support full-time and part-time undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Its purpose is to recognize academic achievement and to encourage continued progress of students pursuing their education.

“As a former teacher, I understand the impact education has on determining an individual’s future success. We must increase access and opportunity in education so our young people can achieve prosperity and compete in our global economy,” said Kilpatrick. “This fund will provide deserving young men and women with the financial resources they need to achieve their dreams of attaining a college degree. I am honored that this scholarship bears my name.”

Wayne State University Board of Governors member Debbie Dingell and WSU Vice President for Government and Community Relations Harvey Hollins III accepted the endowed scholarship gift on behalf of the university during a ceremony held yesterday in Washington, D.C.
“Wayne State is an internationally prestigious academic institution that attracts many of our best and brightest students,” said Kilpatrick. “I commend the university for its efforts to revitalize Detroit by empowering its people to succeed in life through higher education.”

Kilpatrick has been a public servant for more than 30 years. She is in her sixth term serving Michigan’s 13th Congressional District and Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. The only Michigan Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, Kilpatrick has secured more than a half billion dollars to revitalize the state of Michigan. A native Detroiter, she holds degrees from Western Michigan University and the University of Michigan. Prior to her election to Congress, she served 18 years in the Michigan State House and taught in the Detroit Public Schools.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 11 schools and colleges to nearly 33,000 students.