The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Ford Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan have committed $350,000 to create a Wayne State scholarship recognizing Judge Gerald Rosen.
The Honorable Gerald E. Rosen Scholarship for Community Commitment honors Rosen’s contribution to the Detroit community and his leadership during the city’s bankruptcy in 2013–2014. The scholarship will support Wayne State students who demonstrate a commitment to community service.
Rosen currently serves as Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and acted as chief mediator during the Detroit bankruptcy proceedings, leading the city through the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.
Rosen was the driving force behind the Grand Bargain, an agreement between the city, the State of Michigan and a coalition of foundations which protected retiree pensions from dramatic cuts and preserved the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Judge Rosen teaches at Wayne State University Law School.
“Judge Rosen’s public career is an inspiration to our community. He embodies the commitment to service that Wayne State strives to impart to students,” said Heidi Coates, Wayne State’s director of foundation relations. “This investment from these foundations will help fortify Judge Rosen’s legacy of service and encourage our students to follow his example.”
Full-time undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply for the award. Applicants must submit an essay outlining a significant positive contribution they have made through leadership or volunteer service in Detroit. More than 150 students have applied for the 2016–2017 school year.
The contribution has been invested in an endowed fund, creating a lasting impact for students and the university. Scholarship awards will be funded with earnings from the Wayne State University endowment.
More information about the Rosen Scholarship can be found at wayne.edu/scholarships.
About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Working in 26 communities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight owned newspapers, The Knight Foundation invests in civic innovators who help cities attract and keep talented people, expand economic opportunity and create a culture of engagement. The foundation has invested more than $841 million in community initiatives since its creation in 1950.
About the Ford Foundation
The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For more than 75 years it has worked with courageous people on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement.
About the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
Established in 1984, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is a permanent community endowment built by gifts from thousands of individuals and organizations. The Foundation supports a wide variety of activities benefiting education, arts and culture, health, human services, community development and civic affairs. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $709 million through nearly 54,000 grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair and Livingston counties.
About Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 380 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 27,000 students.