MT. PLEASANT, Mich. (WWJ) -- A college senior from West Michigan will have his final year at Central Michigan University fully paid for, simply for getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
The university announced the first winners of its vaccine incentive program on Wednesday, including Jonathan Taft of Greenville, Mich, who won the grand prize of scholarships equivalent to a full year of tuition for the 2021-22 academic year.
Taft got the news through a surprise video with CMU President Bob Davies, CMU Student Government Association president Kate King and members of the Chippewas marching band.
"I chose to get vaccinated because I work with patients a lot, and I want to protect them and myself. This is also to protect my family when I go home and see them," Taft said during the video call.
It was the first of four drawings for the school’s vaccine incentive program, which is similar to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “MI Shot to Win” vaccine lottery. In addition to Taft’s grand prize, 100 CMU students received $75 gift cards.
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The program was created to encourage students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as they return to campus this fall, as cases of the virus continue to surge.
In total, the school will award four students with scholarships equivalent to a full year of tuition and 400 total $75 gift cards.
Anyone who registers for the incentive program online will receive a 20% discount at the CMU Bookstore. So far, around 5,500 students -- about ⅓ of the student body -- have enrolled in the incentive program.
The three remaining drawings will take place on Aug. 23, Sept. 13 and Oct. 4.
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