The Class of 2026: Philanthropy at Work

Life for students at Michigan Ross can feel like controlled chaos. Somewhere between racing to class, finding a free study room, and getting something to eat from the Siegle Cafe, an overwhelming idea becomes absorbed into their hearts and minds. When business is done well, it can leave the world a better place.

After graduation, the idea of building a better world through business doesn’t disappear. Many alumni find their way back to Michigan. Some establish scholarships. Others fund faculty research. Many return to campus to spend time with students who remind them of who they were in the first year as a BBA or MBA student. Philanthropy can be easy to overlook because sometimes it happens one conversation, one opportunity, or one gift at a time. For the students on the receiving end of that generosity, those small moments can alter the trajectory of their careers, or even their lives.

Melissa Carroll, MBA ‘26, is an example of how philanthropy can change the course of someone’s life. Already in a career at Kaiser Permanente, Melissa was interested in pursuing a degree that could elevate her career prospects. The warmth and acceptance of the Ross community during a virtual admissions event really made an impression on her. “I was inspired to come to Ross because of the community,” she said. However, she had to weigh her options financially until she received a scholarship from the Tom and Allison Garfinkel Scholarship Fund. “Receiving a scholarship allowed me to fully consider which program was the right fit for me, rather than focusing on the significant financial stress that comes with stepping away from your career for two years to invest in a full-time program,” she said. 

Tom Garfinkel, who started the scholarship fund with his wife said, “Allison and I started the scholarship program because we wanted to do something to provide opportunities to people who otherwise may not have been able to attend Michigan Ross, and have their lives impacted in the same way.” Tom earned his MBA in 2001 at Ross, and has built a career working in sports. Most notably, he drove the highest revenue in Arizona Diamondbacks history, then went on to drive the highest ticket sales in San Diego Padres history, and is now the Vice Chairman of the Miami Dolphins. He credits his education at Michigan as a driving factor in his and his wife’s success. “Michigan Ross was hugely impactful in our lives,” he said.

After graduation, Melissa hopes to pursue a similar path in sports. “I am exploring people and culture roles within sports and sports-adjacent organizations. It is the intersection of two things I care deeply about, people and sport,” she said.

Impacting the lives of others is a driving ethos behind Ross and our alumni. This motivation inspired Tadd Seitz, BBA ‘63 and MBA ‘64, to give back as well. Tadd Seitz knew all too well what an impact an education can have on someone’s life. After serving in the U.S. Navy and receiving his BBA, he made his first gift to the school as payback for landing his first job with General Foods in brand management. For him, his approach to philanthropy is to focus on education, land conservation, and food security which have immeasurable benefits. “[My advice to fellow alumni] is to use some of your ‘excess cash’ now for a better future,” he said. 

Camilla Bendetti is starting her second year as a Michigan Ross MBA candidate this fall. She was a recipient of the Tadd and Nancy Seitz Scholarship. The biggest inspiration for her decision to choose Michigan was the emphasis on action-based learning in the business curriculum. What really made an impact, however, was the broader Michigan community of students and alumni.

“My scholarship had a significant impact: it made Ross feel more accessible and reinforced the school's belief in my potential,” Camilla said. “It enabled me to be more intentional about my MBA experience and pursue opportunities that aligned with my long-term goals, rather than making decisions solely on financial considerations. It made me feel supported by the broader Ross community before I even arrived on campus.”

For Tadd and his wife, this is exactly the outcome they had hoped for.  “We hope our scholarship gift to MBA students make student life a little less stressful and will help prepare another leader who will make a positive impact on the world when they graduate.” 

In the end, this is how it’s all supposed to work. One less obstacle means one more opportunity becomes attainable, and one more goal achievable.

For more information about giving back and getting involved, please visit https://michiganross.umich.edu/giving.