FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contacts: Latoya Henry, TMCF
212-573-8488
latoya.henry@tmcfund.org
Lorenzo Lopez, Wal-Mart
800-331-0085
THE THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND AND WAL-MART STORES, INC.-
TEAM UP FOR SURPRISE “DREAMS DELIVERED” PRESENTATION
Local University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff student awarded scholarship
Pine Bluff, ARK. – January 18, 2008 – The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and Wal-Mart Foundation made a surprise scholarship presentation today to a freshman Industrial Technology major at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream of unlimited possibilities for America, Wal-Mart and TMCF joined forces to deliver the dream of a college education to a first-generation college student. Students, university faculty, staff and friends of the university from the community were present at the UAPB’s L. A. Davis, Sr. Student Union Ballroom as Dan Sanders, Wal-Mart market manager and Dr. Lawrence A. Davis, Jr., UAPB chancellor presented a check for $4,400 for the 2007 -2008 academic year.
“Education is one of life’s most precious gifts because it is a gift that has infinite possibilities,” said Dan Sanders, market manager, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “Any dream can be achieved if you have the proper education and drive to make it a reality. The Wal-Mart Foundation’s ongoing partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund allows our company to be a part of thousands of students’ educational dreams. We are proud to help support deserving students within our local community who are working hard to reach their goals and strive for excellence.”
The scholarship presented to UAPB student Tracy House is part of the Wal-Mart Foundation’s $1 million “Strive for Excellence” grant announced in 2006 at Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s 19th Anniversary Awards Dinner Gala. The grant benefits students attending public Historically Black Colleges and Universities nationwide. These funds, distributed over a three-year period, support the TMCF’s merit and financial-based scholarship program for first-generation African-American college students attending TMCF member schools. To date, this program has awarded 14 scholarships to help students at various HBCUs pursue their higher education goals and seeks to award additional scholarships over the next two years.
“Wal-Mart has been helping TMCF deliver dreams to our students for many years through our on-going partnership. This special program recognizes their investment in helping one of our future leaders realize his dream of earning his degree,” said Dwayne Ashley, president and CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund. “It is an honor for us to highlight their commitment to education.”
The “Dreams Delivered” Holiday Presentation was created to highlight the people who play a part in making dreams come true – the students who perform well academically and have a great financial need, the universities that prepare tomorrow’s leaders and the companies that donate much needed funds toward education. Through the generosity of organizations like the Wal-Mart Foundation, companies, and fundraising efforts, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund has provided more than $68 million in scholarships to more than 6,000 students who attend the 47 member colleges in 22 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“We have great respect for the heritage and programs of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which provided valuable resources to colleges and universities including scholarships,” said Dr. Lawrence A. Davis, Jr., chancellor, UAPB. “The joining of the Wal-Mart Foundation makes possible an alliance for good business and for which the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is more grateful.”
About the Thurgood Marshall College Fund:
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Inc., named for the late U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice, was established in 1987 and represents 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) located in 22 states with a population of well over 232,000 students. Over the last 20 years, Thurgood Marshall College Fund has awarded more than $68 million in scholarships, programmatic, and capacity support, enabling over 6,000 students to attend public Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Thurgood Marshall College Fund also provides internship programs and joins corporate and foundation partners in providing leadership training and support to students preparing for undergraduate and professional schools. Thurgood Marshall College Fund is a 501(c) 3, tax-exempt organization. Please visit the Thurgood Marshall College Fund at
www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org. About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT):
Every week, millions of customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to its online store at
http://www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit
http://www.walmartfacts.com, http://www.walmartstores.com, or
http://www.walmartfoundation.org. ###
Latoya A. Henry
Interim Public Relations Manager
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 2204
New York, NY 10038
Office: 212.573.8488
Mobile: 646.382.4511
latoya.henry@tmcfund.
Posted By: Jehan Bunch
Friday, January 18th 2008 at 1:54PM
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