Former Scholarship Recipient Gives Back

When Marcia (Wright) Scarbrough graduated from high school in 1977, she had no idea what to do with her life. With her mother widowed, she was eligible for a special scholarship and decided to carpool daily to Schoolcraft College with two neighbors, with the hope that she would find direction for her life. “Schoolcraft gave children of widows money to go to college,” Scarbrough said. “They helped me out. When I graduated high school, I didn’t think I had a future at all.”

She credits Schoolcraft with making her the person she is today. “When I was 18, I was so scared thinking about what I would do with my life. Up to that point, my only job had been babysitting.”Scarbrough said.” Schoolcraft was a very nice change from high school, not a popularity contest. Everyone was there to learn. The teachers really cared about you as a person and took their time.” Scarbrough really matured at Schoolcraft, “I even got my first job at Schoolcraft, at the library.” She admits, however, that she didn’t decide what to do with her life until shortly after she graduated with her associate degree in general studies in 1981. She decided to use her degree from Schoolcraft to secure a physical therapy job as a nursing aid in Detroit.

Working in the physical therapy field opened her eyes. “You see people who are handicapped and can’t walk and you realize what a gift it is to be able to walk,” Scarbrough said. She fell in love with her job and decided to pursue a degree in physical therapy. She graduated from a physical therapy assistant program in 1988. “All my classes transferred from Schoolcraft,” Scarbrough said. “I think Schoolcraft helped me to transition to a career. They gave me what it took to get a good start.”

The current Waterford Michigan resident knows her life would be much different if she hadn’t chosen Schoolcraft College. Remembering her own struggles, she wanted to help current students find their path in a similar manner, so she called Schoolcraft Director of Development (former) A. Reginald Best, Jr. to set up a donation using a gift annuity.

“My grandmother created a scholarship fund. She was a volunteer for 20 years. I gave to her scholarship every year, but decided it was time to start one of my own. Reginald made it very fun and easy, very honest,” Scarbrough said. “It’s a good way to give back to the college because they’re the ones who gave me a start. It helps the students out. Some people need a little extra help. My hope is that current Schoolcraft students will use the money to better themselves.”