The Ebeid Family Fund—established by respected Arab American businessman and philanthropist Russell J. Ebeid and administered by CAAP—has awarded scholarships since 2009 to underserved youth studying STEM at Kettering University, Lourdes University, Michigan Tech University, Wayne State University, University of Detroit Mercy, and the University of Michigan Dearborn. Each of these prestigious and highly sought after scholarships provides between $4,000 – $7,500 annually, for up to four years.
About Russell J. Ebeid
Mr. Russell Ebeid was a renowned world business leader and philanthropist who dedicated his life to helping others.
Although neither of his parents finished high school, they instilled in Ebeid the value of hard work and strength of character. With their support, Ebeid rose from his working-class roots in Detroit to become one of four directors of Guardian Industries (a world leader in glass, automotive and building products sciences) and then graduated to Chairman of its board, while also holding the title of President of the Glass Group. In 2011, Ebeid retired as Chairman Emeritus.
Throughout his career, Ebeid was honored with private audiences with the Kings of Spain, Belgium, Jordan and Luxembourg, the Queen of England, the Chancellor of Germany, the President of Venezuela, the Crown Prince of the U.A.E. and the last Communist Prime Minister of Hungary. He was also knighted with the Order of Merit three separate times.
The businessman was recognized among “Who’s Who in America” and “Who’s Who in the World” for nearly three decades. Additionally, he was honored as the National Arab American Business Man of the Year in 2003 and received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Mr. Ebeid was inducted into Wayne State University’s Hall of Fame and the National Commission for Cooperative Education.
Outside of the business world, Ebeid was a devoted philanthropist as a longtime supporter of ACCESS, the Arab American National Museum and CAAP. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 77 and his family now carries on the fund’s legacy. CAAP’s work is reinforced by extraordinary individuals like Russell J. Ebeid. His inspiring accomplishments and direct contributions to the communities we serve are lessons that will continue to resonate. CAAP stands proud of his legacy as a philanthropist, businessman and community icon.
The Russell J. Ebeid Scholarship Program
Since 2009, the Russell J. Ebeid Scholarship Program has awarded more than 240 scholarships totaling $824,000 to university students pursuing their education in STEM. In its inaugural years, the scholarship program focused on supporting Arab American students studying engineering at Kettering University. In 2015 the program expanded to additionally support African American and Latino students from Detroit and the surrounding suburbs who are attending Kettering and Wayne State universities. Now in its fourteenth year, the scholarship program expanded even further to include additional universities and majors. The program supports 30-60 students annually with scholarship awards ranging from $4,000 to $7,500.
Complete list of scholarships offered:
STEM SCHOLARSHIPS
Kettering University
Russell J. Ebeid Scholarship for Arab American Students
$7,500/year
Students must be incoming freshman of Arab American/MENA background
Russell J. Ebeid Closing the Gap Scholarship
$4,000/year
Students must be third or fourth-year students who are experiencing financial hardship
Russell J. Ebeid Detroit Cristo Rey Scholarship
$7,500/year
Incoming freshman who attended Detroit Cristo Rey high school
Open to students experiencing financial hardship
Michigan Technological University
Russell J. Ebeid Closing the Gap Scholarship
$4,000/year
Incoming freshman or currently enrolled students who are experiencing financial hardship
Wayne State University
Russell J. Ebeid Closing the Gap Scholarship
$4,000/year
Must be a third or fourth year student
Open to Arab American/MENA, Black/African American, Latinx students, and international students who are experiencing financial hardship
University of Michigan Dearborn
Russell J. Ebeid Scholarship
$4,000/year
Incoming freshman or currently enrolled students
Open to Arab American/MENA, Black/African American, Latinx students, and international students who are experiencing financial hardship
University of Detroit Mercy
Russell J. Ebeid Scholarship
$4,000/year
Incoming freshman or currently enrolled students
Open to Arab American/MENA, Black/African American, Latinx students, and international who are experiencing financial hardship
University of Toledo
Russell J. Ebeid Scholarship
$4,000/year
Open to incoming freshman or currently enrolled students who are experiencing financial hardship
NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
Lourdes University
Ebeid Family Fund Scholarship for Students in Nursing
$4,000/year
Open to incoming freshman or current enrolled students at Lourdes University who are studying Nursing
Recipients of this scholarship participate in an active alumni program. Applications for the STEM scholarships open each spring, while applications for the Nursing scholarship open each Fall.
View current scholarship opportunities