In honour of Saginaw businessman Gary R. Bierlein, who tragically perished in an aeroplane tragedy, the Gary R. Bierlein Memorial Scholarship was created in 1989. Saginaw Valley State University students who participate in extracurricular activities in both their communities and their schools are given $1,500 scholarships. Gary has lived in Saginaw his entire life and went to Saginaw Valley State University. The scholarship was created by Patricia Bierlein in her husband’s honour.
Candidates must meet the following requirements in order to be considered for the Gary R. Bierlein Memorial Scholarship: they must be undergraduate students at Saginaw Valley State University seeking a degree; they must be residents of Bay, Midland, or Saginaw counties; they must have leadership qualities and have a 2.5 GPA.