Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) is awarding 15 college students with scholarships totaling $52,500 for the 2026-27 academic year. The awards are funded by the Michigan Retailers Foundation, the mission of which has always been to support the educational advancement of retail employees.

The following $3,500 scholarships were awarded:

  • (7) Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship
  • Paul M. Felice and Al Kessel Platinum Legacy Scholarship
  • Helen McCurry Platinum Legacy Scholarship
  • Jean L. Sarasin Platinum Legacy Scholarship
  • D. Larry Sherman Platinum Legacy Scholarship
  • Raymond A. and Mildred C. Sobelton Platinum Legacy Scholarship
  • Joseph Swanson Platinum Legacy Scholarship
  • Thomas and Diane Ungrodt Platinum Legacy Scholarship
  • Walsh Family Platinum Legacy Scholarship

To be eligible, recipients must be an employee of a MRA member business or the dependent of an owner or employee of a member business. Students apply between January 1 and April 1 each year for the scholarships.

The program’s totals have now reached $846,250 awarded to 667 recipients since 1999, when the current program format began. Scholarship recipients were chosen by a third-party administrator, Kaleidoscope.

Contributions to the MRA Foundation come from MRA members, directors and employees, and other donors.

Information for each student is listed in this order: hometown; business where the student or parent works; business location; college or university; major; and class status; award name; donors:

Bayor CicaloBaylor Cicalo, Fenton
Gaines Jewelers, Flint
University of Michigan-Flint, Secondary Math Education, Sophomore
Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship
Made possible by donations from:

  • Becky Beauchine Kulka, founder and CEO of Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds and Fine Jewelry located in Okemos.
  • Orin and Tina Mazzoni and Family; Orin is owner of O & T Investments LLC, Inc. Orin currently serves on the Michigan Retailers Services, Inc. (MRS) Board of Directors.
  • John Mayleben, in honor of his late wife, Linda. John is an expert on credit card processing and retired as Senior VP, Technology and Product Development at MRA in 2016.
  • Kenneth A. and Margaret Schwark, established by their sons James, Tom, and Michael. Kenneth founded Schwark Furniture and the Sycamore Hills Golf Course in Macomb County. James Schwark also served on the Michigan Retailers Association Board of Directors.

Madison DixonMadison Dixon, Jackson
Polly’s Country Market, Jackson
Central Michigan University, Secondary Education, Sophomore
Walsh Family Platinum Legacy Scholarship

  • Established by Jim and Kathy Walsh. Jim is retired Chief Financial Officer of Meijer, Inc. and former member of the MRA Board of Directors.

Josiah KantolaJosiah Kantola, Ravenna
Ravenna Lumber Company, Ravenna
Anderson University, Interior Design, Junior
Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship
Made possible by donations from:

  • Andrew Gemmen, co-owner of Gemmen’s Ace Hardware in Hudsonville. Andrew serves as Chair on the Retailers Insurance Company (RIC) Board of Directors.
  • Barb Stein, retired owner of Great Northern Trading Co. in Rockford. Barb served as Chair on the MRA Board of Directors from 2011-12.

Nicole KerkelaNicole Kerkela, Negaunee
Range Telecommunications, Marquette
Michigan Technological University, Business, Senior
Thomas and Diane Ungrodt Platinum Legacy Scholarship

  • Established by Thomas Ungrodt, President of TDU Consulting, LLC. Tom serves on the MRA and RIC boards. He was first elected in 2007.

Isabelle Kocan, Alpena
Alpena Agency, Alpena
Western Michigan University, Marketing/Dance, Freshman
Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship
Made possible by donations from:

  • Dan Marshall, in honor of his parents Willis W. and Mary Jane Marshall. Dan Marshall is president of Marshall Music Company, one of the largest full-line music retailers in the country. He currently serves as Vice Chair on the MRA Board of Directors and serves on the RIC Boards of Directors. He was first elected in 1998.
  • Mark Schrag and friends; Mark served on the MRA Board of Directors from 2003-2004. He also owned a home furnishings store, Seasons, located in Okemos.

Schaeffer OttSchaeffer Ott, Stevensville
Ott Insurance Agency, Baroda
Taylor University (Upland, IN), Public Relations, Sophomore
Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship
Made possible by donations from:

  • Larry and Gail Meyer; Larry served as MRA Chairman and CEO from 1972-1989 and again from 1992-2007, following a position as the Director of the State of Michigan Department of Commerce 1989-1990, appointed by Governor James. J. Blanchard. He was named Board Member Emeritus on the MRA Board in 2022.
  • Jeff and Doreen Joyce; Jeff is president and co-owner of Mieras Family Shoes in Grand Rapids. Jeff served as RIC Board Chair from 2014-2020. He was first elected to the RIC board in 2010.

Kendall PennyKendall Penny, Three Rivers
Walgreen Co.
Manhattan University (New York City, NY), Pre-Physical Therapy and Exercise Science, Sophomore
Helen McCurry Platinum Legacy Scholarship

  • Established by Joseph McCurry in honor of his late wife. Joe served as store general manager for Sears. He currently serves as Director on the MRA Board of Directors.

Hannah PottsHannah Potts, Oscoda
Stephenson & Company, PC, East Tawas
Central Michigan University, Biology, Freshman
Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship
Made possible by donations from:

  • Nathan Rosenfeld, an owner of the long-time Jacobson Stores Inc. in Jackson.
  • Bo Brines and Family; Bo is the past president and owner of Little Forks Outfitters, located in downtown Midland. He currently serves on the MRA Board of Directors.

Isabella SterlingIsabella Sterling, Farmington Hills
Busch’s Fresh Food Market, West Bloomfield
University of Notre Dame, Mathematics/Pre-Law, Freshman
D. Larry Sherman Platinum Legacy Scholarship

  • D. Larry Sherman is retired president of the former Sherman Shoes, Inc., Birmingham. He served as Chair of the MRA Board from 1987-1988.

Marisa TrigoMarisa Trigo, Mason
Target
Michigan State University, Supply Chain Management, Junior
Joseph Swanson Platinum Legacy Scholarship

  • Joseph Swanson is a retired District Team Leader for Target Corp. He is a Past Chair of the MRA board and was first elected to the MRA Board in 2001. He currently serves on the MRS Board of Directors.

Lanessa WareLanessa Ware, Bear Lake
Pleasanton Valley Greenhouses, Bear Lake
Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville
Saginaw Valley State University, Occupational Therapy, Freshman
Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship
Made possible by donations from:

  • James Hallan; Jim is the retired president and CEO of Michigan Retailers Association and currently serves on the RIC Board of Directors.
  • Rodney and Judy Phillips; Rod owns Country Casuals, in Petoskey, a women’s apparel store. Rod also serves on the RIC Board of Directors. He was first elected in 1999.

Clara WarnickClara Warnick, Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth Jellystone Camp Resort, Frankenmuth
Saginaw Valley State University, Actuarial Science, Freshman
Raymond A. and Mildred C. Sobelton Platinum Legacy Scholarship

  • Established by Peter Sobelton and family, Barbara and Douglas Stranahan. Peter is former owner of Sundries Plus and Churchill’s Ltd. tobacco and gift stores in Birmingham. Peter currently serves as Treasurer of the MRA Board, and Director of the RIC Board.

Grason WeberGrason Weber, Leslie
Michigan Barn Wood & Salvage, Mason
University of Michigan, Actuarial Science, Freshman
Jean L. Sarasin Platinum Legacy Scholarship

  • Jean is retired Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Michigan Retailers Association and Retailers Insurance Company (RIC) and is Past Chair of the RIC Board of Directors. She was first elected in 1997.

Breanna WillisBreanna Willis, Levering
North Central Michigan College, Petoskey
Grand Valley State University, Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Freshman
Michigan Retailers Association Legacy Scholarship
Made possible by donations from:

  • Bill Golden, co-president of Golden Shoes in Traverse City. Bill is Past Chair of the MRA Board of Directors.
  • W. Bruce and Joyce M. Rogers, a long-time retail advocate and community business leader in Traverse City. He served as Chair of the MRA Board of Directors from 1997-1998.

Kaylie VanderElzenKaylie VanderElzen, Saginaw
Kessel Enterprises/Save-A-Lot, Saginaw
Saginaw Valley State University, Professional Accounting/Secondary Math Education, Junior
Paul M. Felice and Al Kessel Platinum Legacy Scholarship

  • Paul M. Felice is former Michigan Grocers Association (MGA) Chairman and Director.
  • Albert “Al” Kessel, Jr. is the former MGA Director, who founded the Flint-based Kessel Food Market chain.

For more information, or to request photos of student winners, email rschrauben@retailers.com.