The Impact of Bronconess
Having raised over $50,000 in scholarships for Western Michigan University students since 2018, the Bronconess Project has served as an excellent example of how a business concept can succeed whilst contributing to the betterment of the world around us.
At Bronconess, we believe that the best leaders are those who identify opportunity in challenge and rise to realize it. With this in mind, our team decided that the profits raised by Bronconess Wine would therefore go to those students who “acted with Bronconess” - demonstrating and sustaining courage and enthusiasm in challenging situations.
As a direct result of their hard work, the Leadership and Business Strategy students below have demonstrated they live with Bronconess and are therefore deserving recipients of the two $5,000 scholarships donated annually.
Meet our Scholarship Recipients
MOLLY OSTRANDER
Molly is pursuing a BBA from the WMU Haworth College of Business, where she is majoring in Finance and Leadership and Business Strategy. Recently, Molly completed a finance internship at Dell Technologies and has accepted a full time role as a Wealth Management Associate at Greenleaf Trust for post graduation.
HOW HAS THE BRONCONESS SCHOLARSHIP IMPACTED YOU?
As one who was on the Bronconess team in the past, it’s amazing to feel the effects of all the hard work that goes into the program first hand. The scholarship has allowed me to finish my last semester at WMU comfortably and turn my future aspirations into reality.
WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO SOMEONE STRUGGLING TO DEMONSTRATE BRONCONESS?
Whenever you’re under a lot of pressure and it seems like too much, remember that you only grow when pushed outside your comfort zone.
KAMOLA MAKHMUDOVA
Kamola recieved a BBA from the WMU Haworth College of Business, where she majored in Finance and Leadership and Business Strategy. She is currently a financial analyst at Sleeping Giant Capital.
HOW HAS THE BRONCONESS SCHOLARSHIP IMPACTED YOU?
WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO SOMEONE STRUGGLING TO DEMONSTRATE BRONCONESS?
DEVON KELLY
Devon recieved a BBA from the WMU Haworth College of Business, where he majored in Business Economics and Leadership and Business Strategy. He is currently North America Leadership Trainee at Vestas.
HOW HAS THE BRONCONESS SCHOLARSHIP IMPACTED YOU?
The Bronconess Scholarship has impacted me by showing me that my efforts to overcome an extremely difficult situation were more than worthwhile and have encouraged me to look for new obstacles to overcome and conquer in all other areas of my life.
WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO SOMEONE STRUGGLING TO DEMONSTRATE BRONCONESS?
One piece of advice that I would give is to take time to reflect on any and all difficult situations that you have overcome and how you overcame them, because in conquering these situations you will grow and learn more about yourself than in any other aspect of your life.
SYLVAN BENTON
Sylvan received a BFA from the WMU Frostic School of Art where she majored in Product Design and Leadership & Business Strategy. She is currently an Innovation & Design Strategist for Southwest Airlines.
HOW HAS THE BRONCONESS SCHOLARSHIP IMPACTED YOU?
The Bronconess scholarship has impacted me personally and financially. The generosity of the scholarship allowed me to leave my second job, so I was able to really focus on my academics, absorb the lessons being taught by my professors and peers, and participate in other campus experiences.
WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO SOMEONE STRUGGLING TO DEMONSTRATE BRONCONESS?
Bronconess is defined as "courage and enthusiasm in challenging situations especially when sustained." The key to demonstrating Bronconess is in the phrase especially when sustained. Confronting challenges with consistency is exhausting after so long. When I am struggling to demonstrate Bronconess, I lean on my people and soak up their juice.