MRA Adds Additional Platinum Legacy Scholarship for 2026 Program Year, Will Award $52,500
Michigan Retailers Association’s annual scholarship competition launches on Jan. 1, 2026, for the 2026-27 academic year.
Through the MRA Foundation, 15 scholarships, each worth $3,500, will be awarded thanks to contributions from members, directors, employees, and other generous donors.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- Dependent children of owners or full-time employees of MRA member businesses. The parent or guardian must have been employed by an MRA member on or before Jan. 1, 2025.
- Part-time employees of MRA member businesses who are full-time students. Employment with an MRA member must have started on or before July 1, 2025.
Eligible applicants include high school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.
Since 1999, the MRA Foundation has awarded 652 scholarships, totaling $793,750, to Michigan students.
Awards and Donors
MRA will award eight Platinum Legacy Scholarships in 2026:
- Paul M. Felice and Al Kessel Memorial Scholarship, the former Michigan Grocers Association chairman and director and the latter founded Kessel Food Markets
- Helen McCurry Scholarship, established by Joseph McCurry, MRA board member, in honor of his late wife
- Jean L. Sarasin Scholarship, retired Executive VP and COO of MRA and RIC
- D. Larry Sherman Scholarship, Board Member Emeritus
- Raymond A. and Mildred C. Sobelton Scholarship, established by MRA, RIC board member Peter Sobelton and sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Douglas Stranahan
- Joseph Swanson Scholarship, MRS board member, Big Springs Enterprises, Naubinway
- Thomas and Diane Ungrodt Platinum Legacy Scholarship, established by MRA, RIC board member Thomas Ungrodt, and president of TDU Consulting, LLC
- Walsh Family Scholarship, established by retired chief financial officer of Meijer, Inc. Jim & Kathy Walsh
MRA will also award seven MRA Legacy Scholarships funded by:
- Bo Brines and Family, Little Forks Outfitters, Midland
- Andrew Gemmen, Gemmen’s Ace Hardware, Hudsonville
- Bill Golden, Golden Shoes, Traverse City
- James Hallan, retired MRA President and CEO
- Jeff and Doreen Joyce, Mieras Family Shoes, Grand Rapids
- Becky Beauchine Kulka, Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds & Fine Jewelry, Okemos
- Dan Marshall, in honor of Willis W. and Mary Jane Marshall, Marshall Music Company, Lansing
- John Mayleben, in honor of his late wife, Linda Mayleben, retired MRA Senior VP, Technology and New Product Development
- Orin and Tina Mazzoni and Family, Orin Jewelers, Northville
- Larry and Gail Meyer, retired MRA President and CEO, Board Member Emeritus
- Judy and Rodney Phillips, Country Casuals, Petoskey
- W. Bruce and Joyce Rogers, Traverse City business owners and retail advocates
- Nathan Rosenfeld, Purchased Jacobson Stores, Inc. from the Jacobson family in 1939
- Mark Schrag and Friends, Mark and wife Nancy owned and operated Seasons in Okemos
- Kenneth A. and Margaret Schwark, established by their sons James, Tom and Michael, Kenneth founded southeast Michigan’s Schwark Furniture store chain, Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Macomb Twp., and helped construct the Shelby Square shopping center in Shelby Twp.
- Barb Stein, Retired owner of Great Northern Trading Co. in Rockford
Begin your application, starting January 1, at: Retailers.com/services/scholarship-program