$2 million donation to Northwood University will change student lives

Recently, Northwood University received a collection of 35 classic cars worth more than $2 million from a local Michigan couple. Today on Inside Automotive, we’re joined by the Chief Development Officer of Northwood University, Justin Marshall, and Northwood’s Automotive Aftermarket and Management Chair, Elgie Bright, who discuss how the donation will impact Northwood students. 

Northwood intends to use the donation for necessary upgrades and innovations to its Midland, Michigan, campus. The donation will also fund scholarship endowments and a dedicated space honoring the legacy of Michael and Dianne Morey, the donors. 

“These scholarships will make sure that students for generations will be able to help lead the automotive industry, and that’s what I think is really transformational about it,” says Marshall.

The Moreys are genuine car enthusiasts, says Bright. They love the stories that classic cars tell. Now, the Moreys found themselves at a stage in life where they wanted to give back and use their collections to further the education of students. 

However, the couple did not work in the retail auto industry. In fact, Mike and Dianne Morey started their own business called Bandit Industries, which became famous for building wood chippers. When they decided to retire from their business, they sold their equity as part of an employee share program. 

“One of the conversations on campus right now is this car collection,” says Bright. “It has really fired up our community.”

Click here for a list of 35 vehicles up for auction January 6. 

If you’d like to make a donation or participate in the auction, visit www.northwood.edu/morey.