Dearborn Man's 100th Birthday Present? A Scholarship in His Name

Dearborn resident Ed Rossman is turning 100 years old–a monumental moment in his life. But when asked what people could give him for his passing of the century mark, Rossman requested that in lieu of gifts to him, donations be made to the scholarship fund of the business organization he had been a part of for nearly eight decades.

In response to Rossman's birthday wish, Adcraft—the advertising club Rossman joined in 1934—turned right back around to name a scholarship fund for Rossman.

The fund will go to help budding advertising professionals–in hopes that they'll have a career as vivacious as Rossman's.

That career began in 1929 when he sold ads for the Michigan Yellow Pages. Since then, he created ads for Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and the Michigan Teamsters–among many others. His company, Rossman Associates, designed the tree logo still used by Oakwood Healthcare today.

Rossman said he was pleased to be recognized by Adcraft.

“This means so much to me,” he said. “The club has always been a very important part of my career–and life–and I can’t think of a better way to commemorate my centennial.

"I am honored, and I hope this fund helps make a difference in the lives of those who will be our industry’s future.”

Adcraft Executive Director Melanie Davis said that despite Rossman's age, he is not entrenched in the past. Rather, she said Rossman's commitment to the scholarship fund shows how much he values the future of advertising.

"He still believes in paying it forward which is why he's so involved in the scholarship program."

Depending on how much is donated, the Ed Rossman Scholarship fund will be an annual scholarship for as long as the fund exists, but the amount given out each year is known yet, Davis said.