Baker College awards $5,500 in scholarships to three students

Baker College of Auburn Hills has announced that three students have received $5,500 in scholarships. The recipients are Barry Thomas and Michael Vickers, both of Rochester Hills, and Pamela Omilian, of Lake Orion.

“Barry, Michael and Pamela exemplify the high level of commitment that is typical of Baker students,” said Peter W. Karsten, Ph.D., CPA, Baker College of Auburn Hills president. “They have already achieved great success in their academic and professional careers and are outstanding role models for their peers.”

Barry Thomas has received the $2,500 Ed Kurtz Scholarship, awarded annually to a student who exhibits academic achievement, a commitment to the community and a successful balance of work, family and school obligations. The scholarship honors Ed Kurtz, the retired president and CEO of Baker College.

Thomas is working on a bachelor’s degree in human resource management and has earned a 3.91 GPA. He is a member of the student chapter of the Society of Human Resources Management and, for the past year, has worked as an intern at Faurecia Interior Systems, a business group of Faurecia, the world’s sixth-largest automotive equipment supplier.

Michael Vickers is the recipient of the $2,000 Dianne Addington Community Leadership Scholarship. Genisys Credit Union funds this scholarship in honor of its former CEO who retired in 2010. Addington served on many community boards throughout her career, including the Baker College of Auburn Hills Board of Regents.

Vickers is pursuing a bachelor’s of human resource management. He was awarded this scholarship because of his passion to give back to his community. Vickers is a pastor at a local church and works with organizations in his area to serve food to residents in need and motivate individuals who did not complete high school to prepare for the GED. He hopes to someday run a homeless shelter and feeding center to assist those in need in his community.

Pamela Omilian has received the new $1,000 Taylor-Graystone Scholarship. The scholarship was established by J.R. Taylor, PhD, and his family because of their strong belief in the mission and purposes of the college. Dr. Taylor is the president and director of Graystone Management Group and a member of the Auburn Hills campus Board of Regents. Omilian is earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

For more information about Baker College of Auburn Hills programs and available scholarships and financial aid, contact Nicole Chirco in the admissions office at 248.340.0600 or nicole.chirco@baker.edu.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It is a nonprofit higher education institution, serving more than 28,000 students on 12 campuses and in three satellite locations. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, health sciences, education and human services, and various technical fields, as well as a doctorate of business administration. As a career college, the Baker College system is pleased to report that 97 percent of its available graduates are employed. For more information about Baker College, please check out our website at www.baker.edu.