The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan is thrilled to announce the establishment of the Paul E. Viera Endowed LEAD Scholarship. Each year, the scholarship will support multiple students who have been admitted to the University of Michigan but need scholarship dollars to attend.
The scholarship is funded with a gift from Paul Viera, who offered assistance when he heard about the need at his alma mater. Raised in Battle Creek, Michigan, and currently residing in Atlanta, Viera has always exhibited a passion for helping his community.
“I have been privileged to have received one of the finest educations in the world,” Viera says. “I know firsthand the difference it can make in a life. Money should not keep a person from fulfilling their potential. Only when everyone’s potential can be expressed will we produce the answers that make the world a better place. I hope my scholarship helps push some dreams forward that might otherwise have been dormant.”
Viera is the founder and chief executive officer of EARNEST Partners, an investment firm responsible for overseeing over $20 billion for municipalities, states, corporations, endowments, and universities. He has a bachelor of arts in economics from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Harvard Business School as well as more than 30 years of investment experience.
The LEAD Scholars program of the Alumni Association gives financial assistance to admitted underrepresented students, helping to create a more diverse campus. Recipients are awarded a four-year financial scholarship and become part of a community of their peers, participating in a multifaceted program that offers support designed to maximize success. Since 2008, donations to the program have allowed the Alumni Association to award $7,168,000 to 288 deserving students.
Learn more about how you can support leadership, excellence, achievement, and diversity—For the Best Michigan.
