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Officials at Baker College of Auburn Hills have announced Crystal Hayes as the recipient of the 2009 Ed Kurtz Leadership Scholarship award. Hayes received a $2,500 scholarship that is awarded to a Baker student who demonstrates academic achievement and either a commitment to community service or a successful balance of work, family and school obligations.

“Crystal’s scholastic achievement, extensive community service involvement and successful balance of family and school obligations made her the ideal candidate for this year’s award,” said Jeff Love, Baker College of Auburn Hills president.

Hayes, a full-time student at Baker College of Auburn Hills, expects to graduate in December with an accelerated Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree. She is the owner of Image Is Design, a photography and image-consulting firm located in Wolverine Lake. Married with two stepchildren and a baby on the way, Hayes is also involved in many philanthropic endeavors. She has worked with more than 30 charitable organizations, churches and foundations. Hayes has been on several mission trips, has been a spokesperson for breast and ovarian cancer research and awareness, and has raised more than $10,000 for the Karmanos Cancer Institute, $8,000 for Hurricane Katrina victims and thousands of dollars for more than 30 other non-profit organizations. As Miss Michigan USA in 2005, she served as ambassador for the state of Michigan, was keynote speaker at several international events and pro-life rallies, and was presented with leadership tributes from the Michigan House of Representatives and the Senate. Hayes also received an official letter of recognition from the U.S. Congress.

“Being a student at Baker College has given me the academic confidence I needed to make me a well-rounded individual,” said Hayes. “Winning the Ed Kurtz Leadership Scholarship is an incredible blessing, and I will be eternally grateful.”

Hayes, a Wolverine Lake resident, currently carries a 3.93 Grade Point Average (GPA).

Baker College established this scholarship in 2004 in honor of Ed Kurtz, retired president and CEO of Baker College. Kurtz, a dynamic leader whose vocabulary does not include the word “impossible,” also exhibited extraordinary service to his neighbors, friends and community throughout his 34 years at Baker College. The Ed Kurtz Scholarship fund honors the efforts of Baker students who exemplify Ed’s leadership style and who serve their communities as leaders and volunteers or balance work and family obligations.