The Geoffrey Beene Foundation have formed a five-year strategic alliance to further their mutual goals of expanding support for students seeking careers in the fashion industry. The Geoffrey Beene Foundation will contribute $2 million to the fund over the next five years. The pledge is in addition to the $1 million contributed by the foundation in 2006. "We are gratified by the foundation's continuing generosity and belief in our mission. This contribution exemplifies Geoffrey Beene's passion for educating young people and will enable us to significantly expand our scholarship program in support of outstanding college students planning careers in our industry," said Virginia Mainiero, president of YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund.
"Geoffrey Beene has always stood for excellence, and the best way to achieve excellence is through education. The Geoffrey Beene Foundation is proud to be at the forefront of the fashion industry by giving back and supporting highly qualified students to achieve their goals and dreams. I couldn't be more gratified," said Tom Hutton, president of Geoffrey Beene, Inc. and the trustee of the foundation.
Commencing this year, the fund will award the "Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship" to four enterprising students majoring in fashion and related disciplines. These $25,000 scholarships will be given annually to the most outstanding students identified at the fund's 25 participating colleges and universities across the U.S.
"We want to help our most gifted students to succeed and believe that recognizing them as Geoffrey Beene award winners will be an honor they will cherish throughout their careers," continues Mainiero. "Our hope is that when they are successful, they will assume an active role in encouraging the next generation of gifted students to join our industry. This strikes me as a fitting way to perpetuate the enduring legacy of the great Geoffrey Beene."
The foundation's contribution will also underwrite a major portion of the fund's annual awards dinner, one of the premier events on the New York fashion calendar. The event will now be known as "The YMA Geoffrey Beene Fashion Scholarship Dinner." In addition to funding the organization's scholarship program, which provided 90 grants totaling $450,000 in 2007, contributions are utilized to establish fashion studies endowments at affiliated colleges and universities.Labels: financial aid, free education, high school, scholarship, student loans, study abroad |
