The Smithfield-Luter Foundation announced today that it is expanding its collegiate scholarship partnership program to include three historically black universities -- Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, N.C., Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va. and Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va.
The Smithfield-Luter Foundation will provide $25,000 to each school in 2007 to fund scholarships and up to $100,000 to each school over the next four years based on the strength of each school's program. The universities will administer the scholarship programs and make all decisions on awarding scholarships, with guidance from the Foundation.
"The opportunity to provide additional dollars for students to pursue a Virginia Union education is an exciting prospect for us," said Dr. Belinda C. Anderson, Virginia Union University President. "We look forward to a long and productive relationship with the Smithfield-Luter Foundation."
The Smithfield-Luter Foundation was founded in 2002 by Smithfield Foods chairman Joseph W. Luter, III to provide scholarships to the children and grandchildren of company employees. The Foundation's first partnership was with Luter's alma mater, Wake Forest University. The Foundation previously expanded its scholarship program to include Virginia Tech, Iowa State and Johnson & Wales universities.
In order to be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must be a dependent child or grandchild of a Smithfield Foods employee; demonstrate financial need; and be accepted by one of the partnership schools.
"We're pleased to expand our scholarship program to these fine institutions because it offers additional opportunities for a college education to young people who likely could not afford to do so otherwise," said Dennis H. Treacy, executive director of the Smithfield-Luter Foundation and vice president of environmental and corporate affairs for Smithfield Foods. "We feel strongly about educating our young people and believe it is a critical part of making a community a better place to live, raise a family, work and do business."
"We are excited that the Smithfield-Luter Foundation has chosen Norfolk State as one of its very select partners," said Phillip D. Adams, Norfolk State University interim vice president for University Advancement. "It opens opportunities for our students who may have a desire to pursue careers at Smithfield Foods or one of their subsidiaries."
Each scholarship is a one-year grant that will be renewable for each year of the scholarship student's undergraduate study provided that he or she continues to be enrolled as a full-time student and remains in good academic standing.
"This is a tremendous gesture on the part of the Smithfield-Luter Foundation," said Fayetteville State University Chancellor Dr. T.J. Bryan. "So many prospective students are in need of scholarship dollars to finance their college educations. The Smithfield-Luter Foundation has recognized this need and is making a commitment to these students and their families. The foundation's donation is a testimony to its dedication to our future generations."
The Smithfield-Luter Foundation also funds the company's Learners to Leaders(TM) program, a new national educational alliance made up of Smithfield's independent operating companies and local educational partners. The alliance currently operates programs in Iowa, South Dakota and Wisconsin, with plans to launch educational partnerships in communities across the nation and in Europe.Labels: financial aid, free college, free education, high school, scholarship, student loans, study abroad |
