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Three Baker College students have been named as this year’s recipients of the Ed Kurtz Leadership Scholarship award.

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.

Baker College of Allen Park

Officials at Baker College of Allen Park have announced Melissa Card as the recipient of the 2012 Ed Kurtz Leadership Scholarship award. Card 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.
“Melissa has maintained an outstanding scholastic record while balancing work, community activities and family obligations,” said Aaron J. Maike, Baker College of Allen Park president. “We are very pleased to present the 2012 Ed Kurtz scholarship to Melissa this year.”

Card, a full-time student at Baker College of Allen Park, expects to graduate June 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in human service. She holds a full-time and a part-time job, and is married with two children. She is very active within her church and has recently lead a mission to Columbia.

A Southgate resident, Card carries a cumulative 3.99 Grade Point Average (GPA).

Baker College of Owosso

Baker College of Owosso officials have announced Russell Vannortwick as the recipient of the 2012 Ed Kurtz Leadership Scholarship award. Vannortwick received a $2,500 scholarship that is awarded to a Baker College student who demonstrates academic achievement and either a commitment to community service or a successful balance of work, family and school obligations.

“Russell has maintained an outstanding scholastic record while balancing work and family obligations,” said Peter W. Karsten, Baker College of Owosso president. “We are very pleased to present the 2012 Ed Kurtz scholarship to Russell this year.”

An Owosso resident, Vannortwick is working toward a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He expects to graduate spring 2013.

Vannortwick works full time as an accounting assistant at Davis Cartage, a position he secured as a result of an internship through Baker College of Owosso. He also assists his father, who has Lou Gehrig’s disease.
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.

Baker College of Jackson

Baker College of Jackson officials have announced Sarah Algaradi as the recipient of the 2012 Ed Kurtz Leadership Scholarship award. Algaradi received a $2,500 scholarship that is awarded to a Baker College student who demonstrates academic achievement and either a commitment to community service or a successful balance of work, family and school obligations.

“Sarah has demonstrated academic achievement while balancing family and work obligations,” said Patricia A. Kaufman, Ed.D., Baker College of Jackson president. “We are very pleased to present the 2012 Ed Kurtz scholarship to Sarah this year.”

In addition to supporting her family, Algaradi works part time at Legg Middle School in Coldwater. She is an English language learner support assistant, helping “English as a second language” students translate information and understand lessons and homework assignments. She was recommended for the Ed Kurtz scholarship by the principals at Legg Middle School and Lincoln Elementary School.

A Coldwater resident, Algaradi is working toward a bachelor’s degree in business administration – accelerated program. She currently maintains a 3.40 Grade Point Average (GPA) and has been taking an average of 23 credit hours per quarter for the past six quarters. Algaradi plans to graduate from Baker College of Jackson winter 2013.