A gift from the Recreational Boating Industries Educational Foundation is supporting a unique educational program designed to prepare students for a range of different careers in the recreational boating industry.

Recreational boating is a major and very diverse industry that directly and indirectly employs tens of thousands of persons in Michigan and throughout the Great Lakes. The industry includes manufacturers, dealerships, marinas, service providers, finance and insurance, boat shows and boating organizations. There are opportunities for employment in agencies that provide access, boating facilities, education and law enforcement.

The Michigan Recreational Boating Industries Scholarship Program combines a specialized curriculum, offered by Michigan State University, research experiences, internships, and continuing exposure to industry leaders along with financial support that includes a $1,000 per semester scholarship, paid employment during the academic year, and two paid internships. The blend of scholarly and practical experiences provides exposure to a range of career opportunities and also the chance to specialize in a particular aspect of the industry.

The program that has been in existence for more than five years has been successful in that almost all the graduates are currently employed in the boating industry. Even before they have graduated, all current scholarship students have been offered opportunities for employment.