Donor Stories
Ernest and Jeanne Merlanti
Throughout their business careers, Ann Arbor entrepreneurs Ernest and Jeanne Merlanti have been concerned with business ethics. This lifelong concern led to a generous pledge to fund the Ernest and Jeanne Merlanti Ethics Program, centered in EMU’s College of Business (COB).
The idea grew out of the Merlantis’ awareness of the pressing need for expanded business ethics training. Ernest has said, “You have to start early in order for ethics to be taken seriously. It’s not just a set of rules on the books. Ethics needs to be lived.”
Directed by Management Professor John Waltman, the Merlanti Program fosters activities and develops resources to strengthen ethics and corporate social responsibility topics covered in the COB curriculum as well as enhances community outreach.
The program has several key components including: a student corporate-ethics seminar, the Merlanti Ethics Best Practices Award for a business person, faculty research in ethics, and an ethos statement of behavior for students and faculty based on six interrelated values.
The Merlantis’ gift sponsors tuition for each of the 15 students, selected from varied backgrounds across EMU’s five colleges.
“When you give, you get so much back! Those who give benefit students, the community, our country, our world, and ultimately—themselves. Leaving this legacy has enriched our lives and provided us with unexpected joy,” said Jeanne, who volunteers as an EMU Foundation trustee. Both Jeanne and Ernie are valued members of the Heritage Society by placing EMU in their estate plan.
