EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University has received a series of grants from the General Motors Foundation, funds that will be used to bolster student financial aid, study abroad and other student-oriented programs.
The gifts, donated over the course of the last year, total $170,000. The General Motors Foundation is the charitable arm of the General Motors Co.
“General Motors recognizes the importance of investing in Michigan State University and specifically helping students in financial need as well as supporting strategic research initiatives,” said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon. “Their giving demonstrates an understanding of the value of MSU graduates to the automotive industry. The company is also a significant partner to MSU as we work to discover new business and engineering solutions. I am deeply grateful for the ongoing generosity of General Motors to Michigan State.”
The company’s gifts include financial aid and scholarships for students in engineering, business and human resources and labor relations, including support for participation in study abroad. Additional support targets diversity initiatives, student research projects and career services for students.
General Motor’s annual support of MSU was equally strong in the 2010-11 academic year. The company provides additional support through research contracts and grants. Total giving to MSU from General Motors totals nearly $22.3 million, more than $3 million of which was given in gifts, grants or contracts since 2006.
Over the years, General Motors has also assisted MSU with additional funding of more than $1.06 million through matching gifts to MSU from GM employees and retirees.
“We are proud to support Michigan State University,” said Vivian Pickard, president of the GM foundation. “It has been a long-standing commitment of the General Motors Foundation to support organizations and programs designed to affect and improve the quality of life in communities. We will continue to support educational institutions and students who are improving the quality of life in their communities.”
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