It's "The Cat's Meow!" Taste samplings from more than 10 Detroit area restaurants, music and dancing, piano entertainment, and silent and live auction are the activities for the Sept. 20 fundraiser at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University (WSU).

Proceeds from the event benefit the Lara Rutan Endowed Scholarship for the Physician Assistant Studies program at the WSU college.
"The Cat's Meow" begins at 6 p.m. at the college, 259 Mack Ave. at John R in Detroit. Tickets are $100 per person and available by calling (313) 550-4816; or visit the LaraRutan.com website for more information.

In May 2005, Lara M. Rutan earned a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies. She was employed as a physician assistant at Eastside Cardiovascular Medicine in Roseville, MI. Two days after taking the State Boards and one month after her engagement to be married, Lara's life was taken tragically by a drunk driver in September 2005.

Her parents, Judy and Richard Rutan, and their family established a scholarship in Lara's name to assist PAS students. The scholarship has two components: The first is an endowed scholarship fund to recognize scholastic achievement and to provide financial assistance. The second component is a non-interest bearing "emergency loan fund" to help PAS students with unplanned or unforeseen emergency expenses, such as over-due rent, auto repairs, and day care expenses. To learn more about Lara Rutan and the scholarship go to http://www.lovealwaysrememberalways.com.

The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, a founding college of Wayne State University, is committed to advancing the health and well-being of society through the preparation of highly skilled health care practitioners, and through research to improve health care practices and treatment from the urban to global levels.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 12 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students.

Media Contact: Kathleen J. Karas, APR
Voice: (313) 577-2312
E-mail: kkaras@wayne.edu
Fax: (313) 577-0457