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Imagine a rock star lending his name to create a scholarship for a Wayne State music student. Kid Rock, along with his clothing line “Made in Detroit,” is partnering with WSU to help send a talented student to college by funding a music scholarship of potentially $25,000 for area students.
This is more than a scholarship, according to Francine Wunder, WSU director of corporate and public affairs.
“This is a statement of support and pride that someone with the stature of Kid Rock thinks so highly of our university that he would lend his name,” Wunder said.
Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, issued a statement saying he believes that, at least in part, the healing and advancement of Detroit will come through education.
“If we don’t encourage and get behind these kids to develop their musical talents then shame on us,” Rock said.
“They deserve a chance … my hope is that someday some young boy or girl from Detroit, or the surrounding suburbs, can become one of the greatest talents of their generation.”
As a result, according to Wunder, the WSU’s marketing team, along with “Made in Detroit,” created 2,500 limited edition t-shirts. The sale of the t-shirts will fund the scholarship.
Kid Rock’s brother, Billy Ritchie, is a WSU student, earning his master’s in education.
He said his brother believes in the creative talents of young people in Detroit and giving them a chance.
“The whole idea of doing this is helping the kids out,” Ritchie said.
“My brother is a big believer in education. He believes making yourself smart will ultimately better yourself in any aspect of your life, whether it’s in college, learning to play guitar, whatever it might be — any time you have an opportunity to learn, you should take care of it.”
And WSU freshman and aspiring singer Jeseekia Vaughn is doing just that, taking care to develop her music talent through education.
Vaughn always knew she would be a singer. Going to college and majoring in music wasn’t the problem: paying her tuition was.
“I have to balance what classes I can and can’t take, based on how much money I have left over to pay for my books,” Vaughn said. “So, it’s kind of holding me back.”
A scholarship, she said, would certainly make a difference.
Ritchie says his brother understands rising tuition can place financial burdens upon some college students and Kid Rock wanted to help.
The idea is to take some of these kids in Detroit and the suburbs and give them a chance,” he said.
“Put some money on the table; let them get a college education. And we decided to keep it along the music lines because that’s what he does and Wayne State has a wonderful music program, so it kind of fell into place that way.”
In addition, Ritchie said Detroit has been good to his entire family and his brother just wants to give back.
“It’s like Paul Newman,” he said. “Paul Newman didn’t need to sell salad dressing. My brother didn’t need to sell clothes. But it was the idea of taking something and giving back to the community.
“The city of Detroit has been very good to my family. First of all, my father did well in Detroit, I’ve done well in Detroit, and my entire family has done well in Detroit. So, it was a way of giving back.”
