RSM US Foundation Awards First Generation Scholarships to Five Students

CHICAGO – (May 26, 2022) – RSM US LLP (“RSM”) – the nation’s leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market – is pleased to announce that the RSM US Foundation has selected five students to receive its First Generation scholarships.

Through the First Generation program, these five students will receive $10,000 scholarships each per academic year for up to three years, for a total of up to $30,000 per student (or $150,000 total) over the course of the pursuit of their undergraduate degrees.

This year’s First Generation scholarship recipients are:

“It is an honor to announce the recipients of this year’s First Generation scholarships on behalf of the RSM US Foundation,” said Doug Opheim, chief financial officer with RSM US LLP and chair of the RSM US Foundation. “These talented students are striking out to create exciting new and innovative paths for their futures. We are proud to support them as they become the first generation within their families to pursue college educations and to become tomorrow’s middle market leaders.”

Sergio de la Fe, partner and industrials leader with RSM, previously served as chair of RSM US LLP’s board of directors, and is, himself, a first generation college graduate. He is also one of the First Generation Scholarship program’s most vocal supporters.

“Completing college can be challenging under the best of circumstances but for students who don’t have family members who have gone through the college experience, it can be even more challenging, as there are so many unknowns and no pre-established path to follow,” said de la Fe. “Our First Generation scholarships help lessen the stress level by providing financial support to deserving students who might otherwise have to work while going to school. We are honored to be able to support first generation college students through this program.”

Through First Generation and other scholarships, RSM and the RSM US Foundation provide $190,000 in scholarships each year. In addition to scholarships, RSM and the RSM US Foundation support communities across the U.S. and Canada where the firm’s people live and work through:

• An annual volunteer opportunity – Established in 2010, the firm’s annual volunteer opportunity allows our people to demonstrate our focus on our core value of stewardship by volunteering in their local communities. In 2021 alone, 4,262 RSM people, friends and clients participated in more than 100 volunteer events in the U.S. and Canada. Ninety-one nonprofit organizations benefitted, including United Way, Junior Achievement, Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre, and numerous local school districts and food banks.
   

• Birdies Fore Love – RSM works with the Davis Love Foundation, host organization of PGA TOUR event, The RSM Classic – on Birdies Fore Love. Through the program, each RSM office selects a local charitable organization that supports youth in the areas of education, hunger, housing and health. Each charity benefits from the funds raised locally by RSM people, clients, family members and friends. With a generous match from the RSM US Foundation, we were able to give $4.8 million directly to deserving organizations in 2021.

To learn more about RSM’s philanthropic initiatives and the RSM US Foundation, visit RSM’s website.