Magic Johnson teams up with alumni for scholarship

EAST LANSING – Earvin “Magic” Johnson has been a prolific giver to Michigan State University’s athletic department in recent years. Now, the former NBA star is tackling the rising cost of college with a new scholarship.

To spearhead a renewable endowment, Johnson and members of the Michigan State University Black Alumni are hosting the inaugural MSUBA Classic later this summer. Funds raised from the golf outing and luncheon will go toward the $50,000 necessary to start a new endowment, said fundraiser chairwoman Antoinette Warr.

In 2011, the former-MSU basketball star gave a $1 million gift to the athletic department. Johnson followed up three years later, giving $3 million in support of the Spartan Stadium North End Zone project.

Now, one of the world’s best known Spartan is turning his attention to helping students get their degrees, Warr said.

“We were talking about ways to help students and the idea of a scholarship in Magic’s honor came up,” Warr said. After consulting with Maura Benton, associate director of development, it became clear a renewable, expendable endowment was the best way to help the most students in need, Warr said.

Having this scholarship available means cash-strapped students will be able to finish their educations, Warr said. Only 54 percent of college students in the United States manage to complete their degrees after starting, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operating and Development. Many don’t finish because they lack the necessary finances, Warr said.

Once established, the Magic Johnson Scholarship would be available annually to students currently enrolled in the university, Warr said, on a case-by-case basis.

Despite numerous charitable projects, Warr said Johnson didn’t have something specifically for MSU students before now. Organizers are hoping to make the scholarship available to students in the fall of 2016.

Paris Ross, MSUBA’s national board president, said the group gives out scholarships every year to incoming students as well as making funds available to students during the year. Having to worry about money, sometimes as little as a few hundred dollars, standing between a student and their diploma is something Ross hopes to stamp out with these types of scholarships.

“It’s euphoric to be in a position to give back to students,” Ross said. Nothing is more fulfilling that seeing students achieve their potential.”

Johnson’s charitable foundation is also invested in a number of programs nationwide. In addition to funding HIV/AIDS initiatives, the foundation also gives financial assistance to minority students hoping to attend college. The foundation has also established Community Empowerment Centers in cities across the country, including in Lansing, to provide technology resources to urban communities.

The MSUBA Classic is scheduled to take place on Aug. 11 and more information on the event came be found on the group’s website. Tickets for the event range from $300 for the luncheon to $2,500 for a foursome. Premiere sponsorships range from $5,000 to $75,000.