The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

In celebrating a life, alumni help support all students

Issues of affordability, inclusivity, access, and opportunity to learn are at the heart of Lab. To honor the life of Zeke Upshaw, his family and friends created the Zeke Upshaw, '09 Memorial Fund to provide financial support to talented and highly-motivated students whose financial situation might otherwise prevent them from attending Lab. Zeke, who graduated from the Ariel Community Academy before coming to U-High as a John W. Rogers and Victoria Marie Rogers Scholar, collapsed as he played basketball for the G League's Grand Rapids Drive. He died two days later. He was only 26 years old.

To help endow the scholarship, former Lab Board Chair John W. Rogers, Jr., '76, a trustee of the University of Chicago, pledged to match all donations to the newly established fund, up to

$100,000. With donations from more than 100 alumni, parents and friends of Zeke, the fund stands at $187,000. In addition, Vistria Group (of which Lab parent Marty Nesbitt is co-CEO) committed $40,000, in each of the next four years, to allow the Fund to begin supporting students as soon as 2018.