Dow/SAP business scholarship increased from $500 to $750, awarded to three students
Editor's Note: Due to technical difficulties, cm-life.com's author system is temporarily out of order. This article was written by Staff Reporter Alayna Smith.
A recent increase in the Dow/SAP Award of Excellence means more opportunities for students studying business.
The scholarship has been increased from $500 to $750, and has been awarded to three business students this year.
Matt Hock, one of three recipients of the scholarship this year, said Dow’s presence can certainly be seen within courses.
“Their guidance can be seen from the guest speakers who visit the classroom to how classes are taught,” the Midland graduate student said. “It really takes an excellent teaching and support staff working with businesses such as Dow to aid in preparing students for the business world.”
Funding from Dow Chemical Company has created opportunities in the past, including the Dow Science Building and the Dow Learning Lab in Grawn Hall.
Dow works with Central Michigan University largely because of the university’s strong use of SAP programs. Dow Chemical Company is one of 850 Fortune 1000 companies that use the software, which is expensive and difficult to implement within a business, said SAP University Alliance Director Frank Andera.
The familiarity with SAP software is a requirement for all business students at CMU and is an extremely useful skill to have when entering the workforce, said SAP
University Alliance Program Secretary Chelsea Kuchar.
“SAP software integrates all aspects of a company onto one system, for instance, from sales to production to delivery,” the Chesaning senior said.
CMU has the most extensive use of SAP across the nation, making the school very competitive in the job market, Andera said.
“CMU has 100-percent placement of students in this program,” he said. “Students are finding these opportunities and it’s not a surprise, it’s a reality. These skills are in high demand.”
Traverse City senior James Theobald, another recipient of the scholarship this year, said he is proud to be part of such a well-established, and successful program.
“CMU’s SAP program and its related information systems curriculum have gained recognition and support from the industry,” he said. “Support from a major corporation like the Dow Chemical Company confirms the quality of the program. Dow wants to hire the best SAP people and those people are coming from CMU.”
Theobald said the distinction of this scholarship has benefits stretching beyond just the obvious financial aid aspect.
“Being recognized for SAP coursework by the Dow Chemical Company makes those individuals stand out,” he said. “A number of my classmates who studied SAP have internships or full-time careers at Dow Chemical, including several who have won the SAP scholarship.”
Theobald said he appreciates being recognized for his work in the program.
“A lot of the motivation related to coursework is intrinsic; there are no promotions, no raises and no bonuses,” he said, “so when hard work gets recognized and rewarded with a scholarship, it’s really an amazing feeling.”
Hock said he appreciates the honor as well, but said he cannot take all of the glory.
“I really am honored to have received the scholarship,” he said, “but it wouldn’t have been possible without the excellent teaching staff that has encouraged me to strive higher.”
