Dr. A. Paul Schaap – Philanthropy

Dr. A. Paul Schaap graduated from Hope College in 1967 with a major in chemistry and received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Harvard University in 1970. He joined the the chemistry faculty at Wayne State University in that year where he met his late wife Carol. Dr. Schaap attained the rank of professor of chemistry. He received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and was elected to the Academy of Scholars. He received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University in 2010.

Dr. Schaap’s research at Wayne State focused on the study of dioxetanes (chemical compounds which can be triggered to generate light). Dr. Schaap formed Lumigen, Inc. in 1987 to commercialize these chemical compounds for use in medical diagnostics. Lumigen was acquired by its largest customer Beckman Coulter, Inc. in 2006. This technology is still produced by Lumigen at its facilities in Southfield, MI. Dr. Schaap retired from the company in 2007.

The sale of Lumigen made possible the formation of the A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Foundation and the creation of the Schaap Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. These Schaap charitable institutions have focused on the support of education. A $10 million grant was made by the Fund to Wayne State in 2008 to construct a modern addition to its chemistry building, now called the A. Paul Schaap Chemistry Building. A Schaap endowed chair in chemistry has also been created at Wayne State.

Through the Fund significant contributions have been made to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Detroit Public Television, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, University Liggett School and the Grosse Pointe Theatre.

In 2008 Dr. Schaap and Carol began the Schaap Scholarship program at Detroit Merit Charter Academy for students graduating from the eighth grade. Approximately ten students a year now receive four-year scholarships to top quality high schools including University Liggett, University of Detroit Jesuit, Regina and De La Salle. To date the Schaap Foundation has invested over $4 million in this program for students. The annual cost of the program is now approximately $400,000.

Through their Foundation, the Schaaps donated $5 million to the Grand Bargain for the Foundation for Detroit’s Future to support the Detroit Institute of Arts spinoff from the city and shore up the city’s pension funds during its bankruptcy.

Across the past two decades, Dr. Schaap and Carol have provided major gifts for facilities at Hope College including the A. Paul Schaap Science Center and the Saint Anne Oratory at the Carol C. Schaap Chapel; and for endowed support of faculty and student collaborative research. The funding is in addition to the significant contributions they have faithfully made annually to the Hope Fund for more than 40 years to support students and financial aid/access to a Hope education.

The Schaaps are also the lead donor with a transformational gift of $30 million to create the A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Center for the Performing Arts, opening in the fall of 2025 in Grosse Pointe Park. The Schaap Center will become a prominent place of fellowship and gathering for the appreciation of performing and visual arts, for the community and the region. It will also provide educational opportunities for students.