Gov. Jennifer Granholm touted the benefits of plan to make college more affordable for Michigan residents at a roundtable discussion held May 19 at the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences. If approved by the state Legislature, the new Merit Scholarship will guarantee every student who successfully completes two years of college a minimum of $4,000 in scholarship support from state and federal sources.
Granholm said the scholarship plan is a way to move Michigan's ranking up from the bottom tier of states in terms of numbers of college graduates.
"This plan -- for Michigan -- is the way we are going to compete," she said.
President Mark A. Murray called the plan a "major incentive" to help students pay for college.
"This is a powerful incentive to keep students on track and focused," he said.
The roundtable was held at CHS in an effort to draw attention to the need for students, and faculty, in nursing and other health professions. Phyllis Gendler, dean of the Kirkhof College of Nursing, said teaching year-round helps KCON graduate more nursing students, but it also puts a strain on faculty members.
"We are researching the best way of teaching ... and looking at an accelerated program that would graduate students who have another degree faster," Gendler said.
Photo: Gov. Jennifer Granholm listens to Phyllis Gendler, dean of the Kirkhof College of Nursing, during a roundtable discussion at the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences. Linda VanDenBrink, from the Financial Aid Office, is in front of Granholm. (Photo by Dianne Carroll-Burdick)
