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Blavin Scholars Service Day

The Blavin Scholars Program was built on a foundation of giving back to others and building community. In this spirit, the service component of our program was born. Scholars work together to identify areas of need in the community and set out to make a difference through sharing of time and talents. This Fall, our first service project was launched as we worked alongside the remarkable team at Food Gatherers to sort, and package vegetables and fruits for distribution to individuals in need.

Special Guest Andrew Bridge

Andrew Bridge, author of the memoir Hope's Boy was the special guest and featured speaker for the Blavin Spring Dinner held on May 1, 2015. The Blavin Spring Dinner is a time when the Blavin Scholars Program community gathers to recognize the accomplishments of the Blavin Scholars throughout the year and celebrate the graduating Blavin Scholars and all that they have achieved.

Andrew Bridge speaking at Blavin Spring Dinner

Blavin Scholar at the White House

This summer marked Rochelle's (Kristen) Fraenig's 3rd visit to the White House for the Beating the Odds Summit where she joined first lady, Michelle Obama,YouTube personality, Tyler Oakley, and musical artist Jidenna. Rochelle served on a panel to speak to over 130 college-bound students about tools and strategies for successfully transitioning to college. Rochelle shared about her experience in foster care and pathway to the University of Michigan.

Rochelle also discussed her initial thoughts about college and how the Blavin Scholars Program and her mentor assisted her :

Blavin Scholar Rochelle with First Lady, Michelle Obama and student panelists

Blavin Scholar at White Coat Day

Blavin Scholar and University of Michigan Alum, Joseph Sedlak, was one of the 199 new medical and dental students of the Class of 2018 who were welcomed to Harvard Medical School and Havard School of Dental Medicine on White Coat Day.

Blavin Scholar Joseph Sedlak on White Coat Day at Harvard Medical School

Fulbright Scholar

Blavin Scholar Graduate Mai Ze Vang was the recipient of a Fulbright grant, joining 40 other students from the University of Michigan to receive the grant for the 2012-2013 academic year. Mai Ze studied East Asian Studies and graduated with a bachelor's degree from the U-M School of Literature Science, and Arts. As a Fulbright Scholar, Mai Ze will be traveling to Thailand to conduct research for a year on Adding New Threads to the Hmong Paj Ntaub.

Blavin Scholar Graduation Speech

In this video, Blavin Scholar Graduate Personna Hover addresses the Blavin Scholars in her 2013 Graduation Speech. Personna reflects on the challenges she faced while navigating college, the support offered by the Blavin Scholars Program to get through it all, and what it means to have reached the milestone of graduation from the University of Michigan. Congratulations Personna and the 2013 Blavin Graduates!

Creating Community

The Blavin Scholars Program was featured in the Early Fall 2011 edition of the Michigan Alumnus Magazine.

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