University of Louisville Student Awarded First $5,000 Diversity Scholarship by the Louisville Office of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

Recipient Michael Branch Calls His Win "Unbelievable"

Louisville, KY (PRWEB) April 16, 2008

Michael Branch, 21, a senior at the University of Louisville, is the first recipient of the Northwestern Mutual Diversity Scholarship awarded by the Louisville Office of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. The $5,000 scholarship is for the spring 2008 semester.

Michael Branch used to think about scholarship applications the same way he did lottery tickets. "Winning is what happens to other people," said the management major in the College of Business. "People who weren't me always got the prize. It's been unbelievable."

After graduating as valedictorian from his high school, Branch remained focused on continuing his success at the University of Louisville as a management major. Branch's academic honors include Dean's Scholar and membership in the premier collegiate honor society, Golden Key. In addition to his academic commitments, Branch works on campus in the Admissions Office at the University of Louisville, and participates in USHR, Undergraduate Students Helping to Recruit Minorities. When asked about his future plans, Branch has said, "Five years from now I hope to be involved in an organization that is actively working to better the lives of their customers and the community."

"Michael Branch epitomizes the business leader of the future," said Dan Rivers, Managing Partner of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network-Louisville. "We are pleased to be able to provide financial assistance as well as real-world business exposure. The Northwestern Mutual Diversity Scholarship reflects our commitment to diversity in all aspects of our business," Rivers continued. "We are making a concerted effort to serve the financial needs of clients through a diverse network of dedicated and well-educated financial professionals."

When Branch graduates in December 2009, he looks forward to pursuing the next stage in his career. "The Ulmer Career Center tested me and said I'd work best in a creative, structured environment that was interesting, maybe like an ad agency," he said. "Who knows? There are lots of options out there. Maybe I'm on a roll now."

About the Northwestern Mutual Diversity Scholarship
The Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Diversity Scholarship was created to assist outstanding, diverse business students complete their education and gain exposure to the business world. A unique feature of the scholarship is that recipients will be offered the opportunity to learn about the financial services profession through interaction with a Northwestern Mutual Financial Network-Louisville mentor.

The second $5,000 Northwestern Mutual Diversity Scholarship will be offered for the fall 2008 semester to an outstanding African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American or Asian American junior or senior student who is majoring in the College of Business at the University of Louisville. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applications for the 2008 fall semester are due before Friday, April 18, 2008. Applications may be filled out online through the College of Business website and can be found at http://business.louisville.edu/content/view/510/749. For more information, students may pick up a brochure on The Northwestern Mutual Diversity Scholarship in the Ulmer Career Management Center in the College of Business. A committee of local diverse business and community leaders, Northwestern Mutual financial representatives and University of Louisville staff will select the scholarship recipient each semester. The fall 2008 recipient will be notified and announced in May with funds available in September, 2008.

About Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, the marketing name for the sales and distribution arm of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (Northwestern Mutual), provides expert guidance on insurance, investment products and services, retirement and estate analysis, education funding and employee benefits.

The company, its subsidiaries and affiliates provide life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, long-term care insurance and disability income insurance. Among its affiliated companies are those that comprise the Russell Investment Group, which provide investment management and advisory services; Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS), a wholly-owned company of Northwestern Mutual, broker-dealer and member NASD and SIPC; and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, a wholly-owned company of Northwestern Mutual, limited purpose federal savings bank and a registered investment adviser which provides financial planning, investment management and trust services. A subsidiary, Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company, offers long-term care insurance. Further information on Northwestern Mutual can be found at: http://www.nmfn-louisville.com.

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