EMU Today

YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN (Aug. 27, 2020) -- Global esports organization, Gen.G, today announced a $1 million commitment to developing the next-generation of leaders in the gaming industry, with Eastern Michigan University as a foundation partner.  Gen.G has pledged to commit $100,000 annually for 10 years through the establishment of the Gen.G Foundation. 

The fund will be used to support women, people of color, and low-income students enrolled in a United States university or college who are interested in majoring in gaming, esports, entrepreneurship, journalism or content creation. Applications for the inaugural class labeled the “Gen 10,” with one scholarship reserved for an EMU freshman student, will open on September 15 and scholarship recipients will be announced in December. 

“Since the time we launched our partnership with Gen.G, we’ve seen firsthand that the scope of opportunities offered to students interested in gaming extends far beyond traditional ideas of what gaming represents,” said James Smith, President of Eastern Michigan University. “We are excited to be a founding partner to the Gen.G Foundation as we continue to strive for equity and excellence together.” 

“The gaming industry has only scratched the surface of developing talented young gamers who can lead the industry’s next generation,” said Chris Park, CEO of Gen.G. “This and future classes of the ‘Gen 10’ will strengthen the diversity and representation that gaming needs to reach its full potential.” 

Ahead of the fall 2020 school year, EMU and Gen.G launched a strategic rollout of programming focused around student retention and recruitment. The EMU Summer Smash Tournament weekly series recently wrapped, culminating on August 20 with a day of friendly competition and camaraderie for high school students across the country.  Run by EMU students, the final day of the tournament featured professional Smash commentator BAM and representation from over 100 high schools from 28 states.  EMU and Gen.G also held multiple sessions of the “Gamer Girls Getting it Done” Summer camp series, hosted by a mix of pro gamers, casters, content creators, and esports business staff. 

For more information about the Gen 10 scholarship fund, visit www.geng.gg. 

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.

About Gen.G

Established in 2017, Gen.G is the only major organization that owns and operates top teams in South Korea, the United States, and China. Ranked no. 6 in the inaugural Forbes list of the “World's Most Valuable Esports Companies,” Gen.G's core mission is to help fans and athletes use the power of gaming and esports to get ahead in and beyond the competition. The company has quickly become a commercial and thought leader, building a global, inclusive and cross-cultural future for sports entertainment.

United under #TigerNation, Gen.G boasts seven global championships to date among their competitive teams which includes the Seoul Dynasty franchise of the Overwatch League, the LCK world champion team in South Korea, the world's top all-female Fortnite team, PUBG, CS:GO, Valorant and the NBA 2K League's historic expansion franchise in Shanghai.  Its widely acclaimed initiatives include #TeamBumble, the leading team platform for the empowerment of women in gaming, and the Gen.G Elite Esports Academy, the world's first fully-integrated academic esports program in Seoul. More information about Gen.G esports and its teams can be found at this link.