Concordia University and Sendik’s Food Markets inducted three new Concordia University business students into the prestigious Sendik’s Scholars program during a Red Coat Ceremony held on campus earlier this week. The Sendik’s Scholars program is a competitive undergraduate business program that offers an annual $5,000 scholarship, paid training and a specialized curriculum to prepare students for a successful career in retail management.

The three new students are:

• Hannah Elrod, Freshman from Hartland Wisconsin
• Courtney Gersek, Freshman from Green Bay Wisconsin
• Katelyn Otradovec, Sophomore from Maribel Wisconsin

“Operations is the key to our business,” said Ted Balistreri, family co-owner of Sendik’s Food Markets. “This unique program will prepare the ‘Scholars’ from the ground up to become leaders within our growing family business.”

According to Dr. Dan Sem, Dean of the School of Business Administration at Concordia University, “We are grateful to the Sendik’s organization for supporting our students and providing them with this opportunity to really learn what it takes to run a successful business from one of the best, most successful businesses in our area.”

The inaugural Sendik’s Scholars class started in Fall, 2013. Of the original five students, two students remain in the program, two have graduated and enjoyed their field experience and employment within the Sendik’s organization and one student opted out after one year due to time constraints.

For more information on the Sendik’s Scholars program at Concordia University, please visit here.

About Concordia University

Concordia University is a nonprofit, Lutheran higher education community serving more than 8900 students online, at two residential campuses in Mequon, Wis. and Ann Arbor, Mich., and at 13 satellite centers. The school is affiliated with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and is part of the Concordia University System, a national network of colleges.

About Sendik's Food Markets

Since 1926, the Balistreri family has been serving the greater Milwaukee community by combining quality food products with exceptional customer service and is known throughout the region as the trusted, local grocer. Their goal is to provide the best grocery shopping experience, period. Currently, Sendik's operates 12 stores throughout Southeastern Wisconsin.