Meredith Lynn Whalen, 23, was originally from Canton. A graduate of Salem High School in Plymouth-Canton schools and U-M, she became a research assistant for Fred Alger Management on the 93rd floor of the north tower.
Whalen grew up in Canton, Mich., where she developed a love of horses and riding. Her ultimate dream was to own a horse farm in Kentucky, though her short-term goal was to become a portfolio manager.
Whalen competed on the cross-country and swimming teams at Plymouth-Salem High School. After graduating with honors, she attended the University of Michigan in nearby Ann Arbor, graduating in 2000 with a degree in business.
Whalen got a taste of the investment field by working at Goldman Sachs in London during the summer before her senior year. But she wanted to work for a smaller firm where she thought she would receive more personalized training.
She was recruited to work in New York by David Alger, a co-owner of Fred Alger Management. He was among 35 employees of the firm who died in the terrorist attack.
Meredith Whalen Memorial Scholarship Fund at Canton Community Foundation was started by her family.
This scholarship was created in memory of Meredith Whalen. This scholarship is available to all female students graduating from the Plymouth-Canton Community School District who plan to attend any college or university majoring in business.