UNCF to Honor St. Louis Students at the St. Louis Scholarship Awards Dinner (1512 hits)
Actor, comedian, philanthropist and education activist Cedric "The Entertainer" will be center stage on August 1 when UNCF (the United Negro College Fund), the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization, presents UNCF scholarships to 75 exceptional St. Louis students at the 6th Annual UNCF Scholarship Awards Dinner.
Tammie Holland, co-host of the top-rated Tony Scott Show on Clear Channel Media + Entertainment's Majic 100.3 FM will be mistress of ceremonies. Vanessa Foster-Cooksey, senior director of community affairs for Anheuser-Busch will bring greetings from the St. Louis-based brewer, the Presenting Sponsor of the UNCF Scholarship Awards Dinner. And Audresha Grigsby, a St. Louis University sophomore and 2012 Cedric "The Entertainer" Scholarship recipient will speak on behalf of UNCF students.
"Cedric, McDonald's Academic Excellence, the Ryan Howard Family Foundation and all the donors whose scholarships will be presented are investing in better futures for students and for all of us," said UNCF president and CEO. Michael L. Lomax, PhD. "These students are the next generation of St. Louis teachers, scientists, businesspeople and civic leaders. They are the return on our investment. They are our dividends."
Cedric "The Entertainer", currently starring in TVLand's situation comedy "Soul Man," has a long history of support for students, education and UNCF's mission of building a robust pipeline of African American college graduates who will go on to be our country's next generation of business, civic, and community leaders. In addition to Cedric, a wide range of programs and foundations will present scholarships on which they partner with UNCF, making it possible for these students to receive the education they need and we as a country need them to have. Scholarships to be presented include:
- McDonald's Academic Excellence - 24 students;
- Ryan Howard Family Foundation - 24 students;
- Cedric the Entertainer Scholarship-20 students;
- UNCF Gates Millennium Scholars - 4 students;
- Normandy School District - 3 students.
In addition to Anheuser-Busch, the UNCF Scholarship Awards Dinner Presenting Sponsor. Master Sponsors are Fifth Third Bank, Southeast Missouri State University, and Wells Fargo Advisors.
"Since 1977, Anheuser-Busch has supported the UNCF because of our shared deep commitment to education. It is our pleasure serve as the Presenting Sponsor of this UNCF Scholarship dinner and to acknowledge the academic success of the youth in the St. Louis region and across the country," said Vanessa Foster-Cooksey, senior director, community affairs, Anheuser-Busch.
UNCF awards 10,000 scholarships per year under 400 programs to students at 900 colleges and universities. Thanks to this investment, UNCF scholarship recipients have a 70% average graduation rate, almost double the 38% rate for all African American college students and significantly higher than the 58% rate for students from all ethnicities.
About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. UNCF supports education through scholarships and other programs, by supporting its 37 member colleges and universities, and by advocating for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. The UNCF logo features the torch of leadership in education and UNCF's widely recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."®: Learn more at www.UNCF.org.
