For Mark and Marcia Hooper, entrepreneurship has always been more than a career path; it’s a mindset built on integrity, hard work, and service. Now, the 1976 graduates of Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University are investing in the next generation of Spartan entrepreneurs through the newly established Mark and Marcia Hooper Entrepreneurial Scholarship, a $5,000 annual award supporting students engaged with the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.
The Hoopers’ Spartan journey began nearly five decades ago. What started as a shared passion for learning and discovery grew into a lifelong partnership rooted in curiosity and community. After earning their bachelor’s degrees in accounting, they launched impactful careers shaped by both professional excellence and community commitment.
Marcia began her career with General Motors before dedicating her time to supporting their growing family and serving her community–leading as a church treasurer and volunteering for several local organizations more than thirty years. She has a special passion for educational connected groups.
Mark’s career journey includes leadership roles as a partner with Ernst & Young and later as a co-founder of Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC (AHP), a regional accounting firm with multiple offices across Michigan. Beyond his professional success, Mark has demonstrated a deep commitment to service, having served on more than 25 for-profit and nonprofit boards, chairing or presiding over ten of them. His work with AHP and as a founding member, board member and officer of Capital Community Angels solidified his belief in the importance of the entrepreneurial mindset and the transformative role it plays in Michigan’s economy.
“Life joys include discovering personal talents you did not know you had. Entrepreneurial talents cross many business endeavors and serve as a foundation for success. We hope scholarship awardees will discover and develop their talents,” they share.
For the Hoopers, this scholarship is a way to ensure that every student with an entrepreneurial spark has the chance to turn that energy into impact. It’s about cultivating the next generation of Spartans who are willing to take risks, challenge norms, and build solutions that strengthen communities across Michigan and beyond.
“Throughout my career, doors were opened to accept new responsibilities that required a wide variety of skills beyond core technical competency. It was only in hindsight that I realized that those skills were grounded in an entrepreneurial mindset,” Mark said.
The Mark and Marcia Hooper Entrepreneurial Scholarship will provide critical support for students engaged with the Burgess Institute’s programs, helping them explore innovative ideas, launch startups, and develop the mindset necessary to thrive in today’s rapidly changing world.
Their generosity embodies what drives the Institute forward: creating pathways for bold ideas to grow and ensuring entrepreneurial opportunity is within reach for every student at Michigan State University.