The groundbreaking Cannabis Center of Excellence at Lake Superior State University achieved another first recently. In 2019, it opened as the first cannabis chemistry program in the nation. And now, LSSU offers its first cannabis chemistry scholarship.
Hazel Park, Mich.-based Steadfast Labs, whose mission is to ensure access to safe cannabis medicine, has established an annual $1,200 scholarship for students pursuing a degree in cannabis chemistry at LSSU. Applicants also must be at least sophomores and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preference will be given to students who reside in Wayne and Oakland Counties, the service areas for the company.
“We are very excited about this latest collaboration with Steadfast Labs. This donation not only continues our trendsetting ways in this vital new field but also makes our already affordable tuition even more reasonable,” said Dr. Steven Johnson, Dean of the College of Science and the Environment at LSSU. “When our Cannabis Center of Excellence began operations, members from Steadfast Labs toured the facilities and conducted guest lectures for our students. By funding this scholarship, Steadfast Labs again demonstrates their commitment to supporting future chemists who will enter the workforce and provide public safety in the cannabis field.”
Avram Zallen, founder and CEO of Steadfast Labs, added, “It is our great pleasure to grant this unprecedented scholarship for a cutting-edge program in an innovative industry. This grant is another opportunity for Steadfast to help LSSU students pursue careers in this exciting and important industry. ”
LSSU President Dr. Rodney S. Hanley added, “This generosity from Steadfast Labs is the latest example how our Cannabis Center of Excellence continues to pave the way in this discipline. The scholarship reinforces key components of our vision statement: being vanguard-focused and driving social mobility. Our growing relationship with Steadfast Labs additionally furthers numerous parts of our strategic plan, including enhancing academic offerings, positioning cannabis studies as a national leader of academic inquiry, and bolstering community partnerships.”