Students Win with Bruns Challenge
By Nia Rincon
The University of Memphis recently set a remarkable record. Not in sports or research, but in community impact, thanks to the Bruns Scholarship Challenge.
In September 2020, alumni and friends of the University were challenged by philanthropist Mike Bruns and his wife, Marian, to support students by committing an initial $1 million to launch the scholarship challenge. The endowed scholarships they created were matched 1:2 until the initial $1 million challenge fund was fulfilled. In total, 36 new scholarships were created with $3 million raised in three years.
Bruns is a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist and longtime UofM supporter. He is the founder and former president of Comtrak Logistics, a national transportation and logistics company headquartered in Memphis. A consistent champion for those experiencing hardship in our community, Bruns’ passion to make Memphis a better place is evident in his willingness to share his time and expertise. His efforts have forever changed the lives of many UofM students who are empowered by his generosity.
“I am excited to offer my support to the University of Memphis because of its deep commitment to providing young people from all backgrounds the opportunity to excel and earn a degree,” Mike Bruns said. “When I learned that awards of as little as $700 can make a difference between a student graduating and dropping out, I knew I had to help.”
Lakaiyah Givens-Smith, a first-generation senior studying Public Health, is one of many students the Bruns Scholarship Challenge has allowed to stay enrolled and on track. As part of her capstone to complete her degree, Givens-Smith was required to design and pitch a research project to a local non-profit. It also required 100 hours of unpaid fieldwork, making it impossible to attend classes full-time, work part-time and continue with the course.
With Givens-Smith facing the reality of being unable to pay for her education, the Bruns Challenge provided her with a matched scholarship that allowed her to conduct field research and attend classes.
“With that scholarship, I had the comfort of not working for a semester while completing the required fieldwork,” Givens-Smith said. “I was able to really pour into my project and my other classes. I was so grateful that I was a scholarship recipient.”
After having the opportunity to volunteer with Project STAND, Givens-Smith ultimately chose to partner with Neighborhood Christian Centers and conduct focus groups at all seven sites to research how gun violence affected the youth of Memphis. She had discussions with groups of teens from around the city and then conducted surveys to better understand the impact of gun violence.
“I was someone who wasn't from here seeing the neighborhoods they live in and how they don't have community centers or resources like grocery stores, which I had back home,” said Givens-Smith, who is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas. “It really made me want to be a service to the youth because they don't know that their circumstances are bad. I also wanted to shed light on how gun violence is normal to them.”
For students like Givens-Smith, whose research strives to make Memphis a safer place for all, Mike Bruns’ enduring commitment to the UofM has been a catalyst for positive change.
This collective effort not only enhances the academic landscape but also addresses real-world challenges faced by the community. The Bruns Challenge’s impact extends far beyond financial contributions and manifests in the real-world outcomes of students conducting life-changing research.
A worry-free education is the key to unlocking a brighter future for all. Together, with the support of individuals like Mike and Marian Bruns, the UofM will continue empowering futures and transforming lives for generations to come.