UB gave John Alm a second chance. Now, he gives its potential students hope for the future.
Alm, a retired Coca-Cola CEO who flunked out of UB the first time he attended, established a $150,000 scholarship for graduating seniors at Maple Grove High School, his alma mater. Students from the Bemus Point school who have been accepted to UB and have financial need are eligible for the award.
Alm knows what it's like to struggle in high school because he had a 1.65 GPA. He is a true underdog, according to Edward Turkasz Jr., the principal of Maple Grove high school.
"His story is pretty unique and pretty inspiring, especially to the student who is struggling a little but needs that opportunity and is given that opportunity to be successful," Turkasz said.
Alm hopes to get more students from his former school to attend UB. The Cheryl D. Van Marter-Alm scholarship - named for Alm's late wife who also graduated from Maple Grove - will be given in increments.
The first student will receive $15,000, which will fund tuition, some books and room and board. Alm will then give $30,000 the second year, $45,000 the third year and $60,000 the fourth year. The number of recipients will also increase accordingly.
"I learned that very few students from there go to UB and I thought this would be a good way to connect the university to that school and would help promote a whole different thought process on the ability of what they can do," Alm said.
When Alm flunked out of UB and joined the military, he didn't expect to go back and graduate from the School of Management in 1973.
"Attending UB gave me exposure to people who lived very differently from me and opened doors to a new world," Alm said. "I hope this scholarship will provide a similar opportunity to Maple Grove students."
Turkasz said Alm's personal story demonstrates an additional layer of meaning to the significance and aim of the scholarship.
"John has a passion for providing educational opportunities to underserved youth," said Arjang Assad, dean of the School of Management. "This scholarship is an apt demonstration of this."
The students who will receive the scholarship are not at the top of their class, but with the help from Alm, they have potential, according to Turkasz.
Alm wants to expand on that and give Maple Grove students a greater sense of empowerment.
"I hope that it opens up a new world of possibilities for them," Alm said. "This is a small school in a small community ... the University at Buffalo and the whole environment there will open up new, broader possibilities."
Maple Grove is a small, rural school in Chautaqua County, N.Y., with an enrollment of 386 students.
Alm is an example of someone who embodies the principles of hard work and resiliency for both Maple Grove and UB students. His story shows the importance of striving and the significance of giving back to one's community, according to Turkasz and Assad.
"I'm proud we've had someone come from here and help recognize that this is a place that helps students realize their potential," Turkasz said.
Pepsi sponsors UB, but in honor of Alm, the university installed one Coca-Cola vending machine on campus.
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Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
