Broad alum pledges scholarship support, encouraging students to ‘work hard, build relationships and give flight to imagination’

A new endowment fund, the Katherine A. and Jose V. Sartarelli Endowed Scholarship, has been generously created by Dr. Jose “Zito” Sartarelli (MBA ’75, Ph.D. Business Administration ’79) and his wife, Katherine (“Kathy”). This $1 million fund will support undergraduate students participating in the Residential Business Community at the Broad College of Business.

This remarkable contribution will fund scholarships for RBC students, empowering them to pursue their education without the financial barriers that often stand in the way of success. For many students, this scholarship represents far more than financial support — it is a symbol of hope and opportunity. The program will enable students to immerse themselves in the RBC’s innovative programming, develop leadership skills and prepare for their future careers by lessening the burden of tuition and other expenses.

A native of Brazil, Dr. Sartarelli received a B.A. in marketing from the São Paulo School of Business Administration (Fundação Getulio Vargas) in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1973. He came to Michigan State University as a Fulbright Scholar, earning his MBA in marketing and his doctorate in business administration from Broad. While at MSU, he met Kathy, who was earning her master’s degree in biophysics.

Dr. Sartarelli spent three decades in marketing and management for the international pharmaceutical industry, where he led global offices for Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Meyers Squib, and Eli Lilly. He then transitioned to higher education, serving first as dean of the College of Business and Economics and chief global officer at West Virginia University and then as chancellor of the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

He received the Broad College’s 2024 Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award for his exemplary professional career and his dedication to higher education.

“Kathy and I established this scholarship fund to offer more students the opportunity to attend MSU and achieve success by following the principles that have guided my own path: work hard, build relationships and give flight to imagination,” Dr. Sartarelli said.

RBC membership is competitive and limited. The RBC prepares students to be business leaders and encourages professional development throughout their college experience. The community living-learning program assists students in acquiring the relational skills necessary to succeed and lead in today’s global society. Through a seamless academic and experiential learning environment, students develop business leadership competencies in a collaborative, inclusive, multicultural environment.

Students who participate in the RBC experience three significant benefits: access to academic and professional support services as they transition to college life, opportunities for growth in cultural intelligence and leadership competencies, and an introduction to a network of corporate recruiters and MSU alumni throughout their college careers. RBC members are enrolled in specially reserved sections of high-demand freshman classes, as well as a one-credit seminar each semester that is designed to specifically meet the transition-to-MSU needs of first-year business students. RBC students live together in McDonel Hall, conveniently located just a short walk from the Business College Complex.

“The Broad College is deeply honored and grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Sartarelli for their extraordinary generosity,” Eli and Edythe L. Broad Dean David Souder said. “I have enjoyed learning how MSU played a pivotal role in their lives and applaud their desire to make the Broad experience memorable for future students.

“RBC students supported by this scholarship fund will be empowered to become leaders, innovators and visionaries who will shape a brighter future for all. As a result, Dr. Sartarelli’s belief in our students’ potential will leave a lasting impact for generations to come.”

As the RBC continues to grow and evolve, this generous gift from Dr. and Mrs. Sartarelli stands as a testament to the power of philanthropy in shaping the future. RBC director Sherri Henry expressed the community’s gratitude for the gift. “The Residential Business Community is deeply grateful for this generous investment in its students, its mission and its vision for excellence. We are not only empowering individual students, but are also strengthening our ability to deliver on the RBC promise of a world-class educational experience,” she said.

“I want to express with heartfelt appreciation our deepest gratitude for the Sartarellis’ extraordinary contribution to the RBC. We are honored to have them as partners in our mission to transform lives through education.”