Scott L. Pranger
Learn about the Generosity of Scott L. Pranger
The generosity of Scott L. Pranger has led to the endowment and naming of the Scott Pranger ALS Clinic. The gift is in honor of Cathleen Pranger, who passed away in 2015 from ALS. The wife of Scott and mother of Sam (a current member of the Center’s National Advisory Board), she received her care at the ALS Clinic at University of Michigan Health.
“From my own experience, I know what patients and families touched by ALS go through, which is why I have joined forces with Drs. Eva Feldman and Stephen Goutman. Their team brings such care and comfort to those in their clinic. But I wanted to do more, which is why I have increased my support to include the incredible research in their laboratory. We must find an answer, effective treatments and eventually a cure, for this dreadful disease.”
“Scott’s gift to the ALS Center will allow us to continue our world-class care and research in our fight against the disease,” said Eva L. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., Russell N. DeJong Professor of Neurology and director of the Michigan Medicine Scott Pranger ALS Center and NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies. “The effect of his generosity will be two-fold — not only will it allow us to continue outstanding multi-disciplinary care in the clinic, but it will also support our research to make ALS a livable, if not preventable, disease. His gift will truly propel our Center and research into the future. He is a true friend, not only to our Center, but to me personally.”
An Entrepreneur & Philanthropist
Pranger’s involvement in the fight against ALS was inspired by his experiences during his late wife Cathleen’s 15-year battle with the disease. Pranger was one of the founding members of the National Advisory Board in 2018, a position he passed on to his son Sam last year. He has also been very active in philanthropic activities in Western Michigan. Born in Shelby, Michigan, Pranger has been a lifelong West Michigan resident, currently living in Spring Lake, while enjoying winters in Arizona.
Sam & Cathleen Pranger on his 16th birthday
Pranger became the first sales engineer and eventually the vice president of sales at Kurdziel Industries in Norton Shores, Michigan. He founded his own firm, EQI Ltd., a manufacturing and logistics enterprise, in 2004 to cover his wife’s ALS care and grew it into a global powerhouse. Pranger sold the organization in 2012 to devote more time to his family.
Pranger’s other philanthropic activities include establishing the Scott L. Pranger Central Michigan University Business Scholarship for students attending CMU, from which he graduated in 1983. It provides a full four-year scholarship to a student from Shelby or Spring Lake, Michigan, each year. Pranger was chosen as the winner of the CMU College of Business Administration's 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award.
He is a board member and recipient of the 2019 Bronze Leadership Award from Junior Achievement in Grand Rapids/West Michigan, and he provides leadership for the organization’s annual golf fundraising event. He has also been very active in West Michigan community affairs and in faith-based causes worldwide.
Scott’s commitment to the Michigan Medicine Scott Pranger ALS Center, those suffering from ALS, and their caregivers is deeply appreciated.
