Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation

For good. For ever.

306 South University Avenue Mount Pleasant, MI, 48858 United States

(989) 773-7322

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Isabella County, now and for generations to come, by attracting and holding permanent endowed funds from a wide range of donors, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

Michael and Dianne Morey Manufacturing Skilled Trades Scholarship Fund

Michael and Dianne Morey

The Michael and Dianne Morey Manufacturing Skilled Trades Scholarship Fund was established in 2017 to provide scholarships to Isabella County students pursuing higher education and, ultimately, a career in manufacturing. The fund was started by Dianne Morey in memory of her mother and grandmother.

When asked about what prompted Dianne to start the fund, she said that she wanted to do something good with the money she inherited from her family. Dianne also stated that she and her husband, Mike, wanted to express to teachers that not every student is college bound, and that the manufacturing companies in our area have an importance that is sometimes overlooked. For example, when Michael and Dianne Morey started Bandit Industries in 1983, they had only 6 employees. Today, they employ and support 460, and try to help their community with any good endeavors that they can.

The first scholarship from this fund was awarded in the spring of 2018. When Dianne met the fund’s first recipient, she said that her and her husband were so encouraged to see his enthusiasm, that they knew he was going to take every advantage he was given and push it to the max; it gives them both hope that the next generation will continue to put to good use any help that they are given.

Scholarship Criteria:

  • Student shall be a high school senior graduating from an Isabella County high school;

  • Student shall be planning to enroll at an accredited college, university or trade school;

  • Student shall be planning to pursue a skilled trade (welding, machine tool, mechanical drafting, etc.); and

  • Student shall be planning to pursue a career in manufacturing, and must describe these plans in a written essay.

Preferences:

In selecting the most qualified applicant to receive the scholarship, reviewers should give preference to the following, listed in priority order.

  • Student has demonstrated financial need, as expressed in the applicant’s written essay.