Developers Diversified Funds Scholarships for National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Developers Diversified, the nation’s leading owner, developer and manager of community shopping centers, announced that the company will contribute a total of $120,000 in scholarships to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society over the next four years to the top 10 student applicants nationwide.
The scholarships were established to help those who have been diagnosed with MS — or children with a parent diagnosed with the disease — pursue a full-time college or technical education.
“These scholarships reflect Developers Diversified’s commitments to education and to the MS community, and those who are affected by the disease, including children who have a parent with MS,” says John S. Kokinchak, executive vice president of property management for Developers Diversified. “Our effort is a great merging of the two priorities for the company.”
On behalf of Developers Diversified, Pittsburgh-based CentiMark contributed $50,000 to support the Beachwood, Ohio-based company’s commitment to the National MS Society.
“Developers Diversified is an important partner of CentiMark,” says Timothy M. Dunlap, president and chief operating officer of CentiMark, a Pittsburgh, PA-based commercial roofing contractor. “The company’s passion and commitment to the Society inspired us to contribute to the cause.”
One of the top 10 scholarship recipients, Brittany Hower, and her mother were present for a scholarship ceremony hosted by Developers Diversified and CentiMark at LeMont restaurant in Pittsburgh, PA, late last month. Ms. Hower will attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where she plans to study nursing. Since graduating high school in June 2007, she has been working a variety of part-time jobs to save for college. Her mother lives with MS.
Developers Diversified currently owns and manages over 740 retail operating and development properties in 45 states, plus Puerto Rico, Brazil, Russia and Canada, totaling over 163 million square feet. Developers Diversified Realty is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT) operating as a fully integrated real estate company which acquires, develops, leases and manages shopping centers. Additional information about Developers Diversified is available on the Internet at www.ddr.com.
From left to right: John S. Kokinchak, Executive Vice President , Developers Diversified; Fred Flanders, National MS Society; Timothy Dunlap, President and COO, CentiMark Roofing; Brittany Hower, MS scholarship winner; Scott Schroeder, Vice President, Developers Diversified