Royal Oak, MI – Baker College received a $2,800 donation from Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union (MSGCU) to bring Bees in the D educational programming and beehives to the Royal Oak Campus. This engaging and unique initiative offers insight into pollination, environmental stewardship, and the importance of protecting bees.
“This educational programming is a unique and fun learning opportunity for students. You could say we were ‘buzzing with excitement’ to help Baker College bring this to life through our donation,” said Ann Jones, MSGCU Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. “As a credit union founded by teachers over 70 years ago, we are committed to helping our school partners deliver impactful educational experiences like this.”
Baker College is hosting two beehives at its Royal Oak campus, which are part of the Bees in the D “Detroit Bee Highway,” a network of over 200 honeybee hives at more than 75 locations in five Michigan counties. With bees as Baker’s mascot, this partnership with Bees in the D educators adds deeper meaning to the Baker College Bees identity. It offers students and community members the opportunity to gain a greater understanding about the conservation of pollinators like bees. It reflects the commitment to collaboration, shared purpose, and environmental responsibility.
“Teaming up with Bees in the D will bring vital educational opportunities about pollinators’ crucial role in our ecosystem directly to our community and beyond,” said Nathan Wright, Baker College’s Assistant Director of Strategic Partners and Continuing Education. “Bees in the D delivers exceptional programming with schools and organizations, empowering the next generation to become responsible stewards of these essential insects. We’re incredibly grateful to MSGCU for their generous donation, which made this impactful partnership possible.”
To further support education, MSGCU also offers various programs such as Classroom Cash Grants that fund innovative project ideas, special loans designed for classroom purchases, scholarship opportunities, and financial literacy programs that support curriculum needs. To help teachers and students, MSGCU offers classroom presentations and financial Reality Fairs which build strong foundations for students’ money management skills via a simulated budgeting event.
Founded by a small group of educators, Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union has provided quality financial services to the communities they serve for over 70 years and welcomes everyone living in Michigan to bank with them. MSGCU offers a full range of loan, deposit, checking, credit card, mortgage, and insurance products. With 24 branch offices in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties, MSGCU has more than 150,000 members, $4.0 billion in assets, and has earned an average 97% member satisfaction rating for more than 20 years. MSGCU has also earned five stars (the highest rating) from Bauer Financial for more than 30 years, and has been honored as a Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press for the past 12 consecutive years. MSGCU is insured by NCUA and an equal housing lender. Visit msgcu.org for more information.
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more at Baker.edu, and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram.