GM, United Way Celebrate ‘Network of Excellence’ Success
Graduation rates at target high schools rise from 50 percent to nearly 80 percent
DETROIT, June 3, 2015 /3BL Media/ – A $27.1 million grant from the GM Foundation to the United Way for Southeast Michigan five years ago to improve graduation rates at seven Detroit-area high schools has helped raise graduation rates from around 50 percent to nearly 80 percent.
On stage at the Michigan Science Center on Tuesday, some of the first class of graduates from the Network of Excellence schools revealed their plans to attend college and make themselves career-ready.
“Through this initiative, we have been able to take major steps in turning around these schools from dropout factories,” said Mark Reuss, executive vice president of GM Global Product Development and Global Purchasing and Supply Chain.
“Year over year, we’ve watched these students grow and succeed and this year just marks another milestone that they can be proud of,” Reuss said. “The investment of not just dollars, but also so many hours from our employees, has created a culture which fosters education. This is a shining example of what can happen when a company commits to a cause.”
