A. Scott and Ruth P. Koeze

The purposes of the scholarship are to support graduate education in business, to commemorate the business careers of A. Scott and Ruth P. Koeze, and to continue the Koeze Family’s long-standing support of Grand Valley State University.

Ruth Koeze grew up in Grand Rapids, graduated from East Grand Rapids High School and attended Michigan State University. After careers teaching school and raising children, she served as the President of Kooz Specialty Foods, the retail division of Koeze Company.

Scott Koeze, a native of Wyoming, Michigan, attended Wyoming Park High School and the University of Miami, where he earned a degree in Business Administration. Immediately upon graduation from Miami in 1960, he joined Koeze Company, assuming control in 1968 upon the death of his father, Albert S. Koeze. His active career at Koeze lasted until 1997 when his son, Jeff, became President and CEO.

Scott’s mother, Ella Koeze served for many years on Grand Valley State University’s Board of Trustees. A student living facility is named in her memory.

The Koeze’s have three children, Kristin, Cynthia, and Jeff, all of whom have had careers as entrepreneurs.

Koeze Company, founded in 1910 in Grand Rapids, is a leading producer of roasted nuts, chocolate confections, and other specialty foods.

This scholarship makes awards to Seidman College of Business Students in the Master of Business Administration course, with first priority for those with demonstrated financial need and secondly for those with undergraduate degrees in the arts or humanities.