Michele and David Nelson

Michele and David Nelson, Brighter Futures Scholarship Donors

When Michele Nelson started a business degree at Griffith, she was struck by how difficult it was for some of her peers to balance life and study.

“As a mature age student who could afford the time and cost of doing my degree, I was blown away by some of my fellow students who were really doing it tough,” she says.

“These students, both fresh from school and mature age, were unsupported financially and just trying to make ends meet.”

She also saw single parents juggling their family commitments and their study, trying to earn an income when they could.

Michele observed first-hand the impact a scholarship can have when her son—also a Griffith Business School graduate —received one in his final year of study.

“He could forgo working some shifts and put that time back into research for his final-year thesis,” she says. “It certainly paid off in his results.”

When Michele learned of the Brighter Futures Scholarship, after graduating from Griffith, she didn’t hesitate to become a donor.

“After everything I saw and with my son’s experience, I knew these students could achieve more with financial help,” she says. “They would no longer have to struggle and choose between working or studying.”

With the support of Michele’s husband, David, the Nelson family became generous contributors to the Brighter Futures Scholarship Program.

“Education has always been important to us and we want to help students reach their goals,” she says. “We believe the discipline of learning and working towards achievement, as well as developing your skills and knowledge, establish a lifelong base for future success in life.”

Michele says she is impressed with how the Brighter Futures Scholarship program is run, and has seen the impact her donation has on students.

“Over the years, we have met many students who have clearly been able to focus more on their studies than without this assistance,” she says.

“Our family is immensely gratified and proud to be supporters of the Brighter Futures Scholarship.”