Donor impact highlighted at Macomb Community College Foundation 2025 Celebration of Donors and Scholarship Recipients

More than $600,000 in scholarships awarded to approximately 600 students last fiscal year

The Macomb Community College Foundation recognized donors whose generous contributions fund scholarships and program funds that support the college’s students and their success at the 2025 Celebration of Donors and Scholarship Recipients. Approximately 200 donors, students and college representatives attended the event held April 30 at the Lorenzo Cultural Center on the college’s Center Campus in Clinton Township.

During last fiscal year, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, more than $600,000 in scholarship funding was awarded to approximately 600 Macomb students. In addition to scholarship programs, contributions to the foundation also support program funds, including arts and culture programs, which advance the college’s mission of transforming lives and communities through the power of education, enrichment and economic development.

“Earning a degree is not easy. It takes dedication and perseverance – often working through obstacles and barriers -- to achieve a college credential,” said Macomb President James O. Sawyer IV. “We applaud our students’ commitment to forging a new path for themselves. Earning a college credential opens an important new door and options for the future not only for our students - but also for those important to them.”

The scholar keynote speaker, Michael Moton, of Detroit, returned to school at 40 to expand his career opportunities, nearly two decades after his first graduation with an economics degree. Looking for something that gave him a greater sense of purpose, he enrolled in Macomb’s GM Automotive Service Educational Program.

Scholar keynote speaker Michael Moton shares his personal story of success and demonstrates it's never too late for an education after returning to college at the age of 40. 

“This is something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Moton. “Something I can see myself getting up and doing every day.”

Moton is the recipient of the Barton Malow Scholarship and Internship Award and is currently working at General Motors.

“The profound connection between your generosity and our success creates a legacy of empowerment that extends far beyond the classroom,” said Moton during the luncheon. “We have witnessed the transformative power of education. It has the ability to change lives, uplift communities and shape our future. And it is because of donors like you that this transformation is possible.”

Keynote speaker and longtime donor Paul Thacker, professor emeritus, Business Administration, worked at Macomb for nearly 50 years both as a faculty member and administrator. Thacker has seen the changes and growth over the years, watching thousands of students achieve their goals. He feels a strong desire to “pay it forward.”

Keynote speaker Paul Thacker has seen the changes at the college over his nearly 50 of experience and is a strong advoate of "paying it forward" 

“I had many, many positive relationships with students,” said Thacker. “Almost all of them were just fun, but I also met a lot of students who could use a helping hand. I give because of the success of the college I’ve seen over the past 50 years and the quality people I have worked with.”

In 2014, Thacker established the Paul B. Thacker Business Administration Endowed Scholarship, providing support to students in the business administration program, and the Paul B. Thacker Information and Technology Endowed Scholarship supporting students in the information technology program.

New scholarships announced at the luncheon include:

• Bob and Mary Feldmaier Endowment Scholarship - Established by Bob and Mary Feldmaier to assist students pursuing a degree or certification in the Vehicle Engineering program.
• Chef Lisa Lorraine Marrone Memorial Endowed Scholarship - Established by Isidoro and Valmaree Marrone in memory of Lisa L. Marrone to support students interested in the culinary arts.
• Ed and Emica Syrocki Legacy Scholarship - Established by Ed and Emica Syrocki to assist future generations interested in the skilled trades, including automotive.
• David Woodward Memorial GM ASEP Endowed Scholarship - Established by Timothy and Christine Woodward in memory of their son, David Woodward, who was an ASEP program graduate.
• Geraldine D. Scaduto Road to Success Endowed Scholarship Fund - Established by Diane DeNardis to honor her mother, Geraldine D. Scaduto, and to support Macomb students who have overcome challenges in their educational pursuits.
• Jenna Lynn Quinn Memorial Dental Hygiene Award - Established by the Macomb Community College Dental Hygiene program in memory of Jenna Lynn Quinn. The award will support students in the college’s Dental Hygiene program who demonstrate a commitment to excellence, compassion for others and dedication to the field of dentistry.
• Kathleen Ann Zepke Nursing Scholarship - Established by the family of Kathleen Ann Zepke to honor her memory and provide financial assistance to Macomb nursing students.
• Tina M. Yaney Memorial Scholarship – Established by Tina’s family to honor her and to provide financial assistance to nontraditional Macomb students.

New program funds:

• Books for Bright Futures Program Fund - Established to provide students with financial support for learning resources including textbooks, digital course fees, course material fees and equipment.
• Delia Rendon Martin Family Endowment for the Lorenzo Cultural Center and Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, and Delia Rendon Martin Family Endowment for the Macomb Culinary Institute - Established by the late Delia Rendon Martin, who founded and owned El Charro restaurant, these legacy funds were established to support continued cultural and culinary programming at Macomb Community College.
• Geraldine D. Scaduto Arts in Education Endowed Program Fund - Established by the family of Geraldine Scaduto, a volunteer and patron of the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts and Macomb Community College for more than 20 years.
• Workforce Continuing Education Manufacturing, Engineering and Advanced Technology Student Assistance Fund - Established by the Design and Manufacturing Alliance to support students demonstrating financial need and pursuing careers in manufacturing, engineering and advanced technology industries.

About Macomb Community College

Macomb Community College (www.macomb.edu) is about transforming lives and communities through the power of education, enrichment and economic development. Macomb grants the largest number of associate degrees in Michigan and is the largest community college in the state. The college provides programming for youth through seniors, including early college for high school students, university transfer and career preparation programs, workforce education, continuing education and certification, and a wide range of enrichment opportunities encompassing arts, culture and lifelong learning.

Media contact: Sean M. Patrick, 586.445.7271, patricks28@macomb.edu