Fred and July Wilpon pose with LSA Dean Anne Curzan and U-M students Jared Gonder, Alaa Shahin, and Sarah Meer. Jared Gonder is a Kessler Scholar.
The official naming of the Kessler Student Center took place on Friday, September 9, in the newly renovated LSA Building. The celebration was made possible by the generosity of Fred Wilpon and Judy Kessler Wilpon, whose donations will benefit first-generation LSA students for years to come. LSA Dean Anne Curzan, Director of the Kessler Presidential Scholars Program Adan Hussain, and Kessler Scholars Alaa Shanin, Sarah Meer, and Jared Gonder all spoke at the event, followed by a reception where faculty, staff, students, and the Kessler and Wilpon families had an opportunity to connect. The Kessler Student Center, said Curzan, is the “convergence of an inspiring space with inspiring support” and “an affirmation that students are at the center of LSA.”
The Kessler Presidential Scholars Program, the largest scholarship community in LSA, supports first-generation college students throughout their four years on campus, offering a plethora of services to scholarship recipients, including one-on-one coaching, leadership development opportunities, and social events to help foster a sense of community.
“I think the naming (tells students), absolutely, you’re meant to be here and you’re meant to be among others. I think that this is really special for the Kessler Scholars…It’s everybody’s but especially special to them,” said Hussain.
View this gallery of photos from Kessler Student Center naming event and reception
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