| University of Florida Foundation, Inc. | |
| Christopher Brazda | 352-392-1633 |
| Public Relations | 100 NW 20th St |
| cbrazda@uff.ufl.edu | Gainesville, FL 32603 |
| For immediate release | Friday, February 22, 2002 |
Bank of America Reaffirms Its Commitment To Higher Education
University of Florida first to receive $175,000 for scholarships
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Bank of America has demonstrated its strong commitment to higher education in Florida by reallocating $1.75 million in endowed scholarships.
The University of Florida became the first of ten state universities in Florida to receive $175,000 when Bank of America Gainesville Market President Jon Gardner presented a check to University of Florida President Charles Young in a ceremony today at the University of Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Gainesville.
“Helping children and young adults succeed, from early childhood school readiness programs through college scholarships, is our top philanthropic priority at Bank of America because we understand that providing educational opportunities at all levels will have a lasting impact on Florida’s future, said Gardner. We’re proud to continue our longstanding partnership with the University of Florida.”
The funds are part of a $1 million Bank of America commitment made in 1999, which the state of Florida matched with $750,000 to establish the Bank of America Endowed Scholarship Fund to provide need-based scholarships to Florida’s students. Between 1999 and 2001, the funds were held by the Florida Board of Regents Foundation. Under the new Florida Board of Education, the money is being reallocated equally to the ten state universities that existed in Florida in 1999. Similar check presentations will be made to the nine other recipient universities over the next few months, according to Bank of America officials.
“There’s not a better way for corporate support to manifest itself in higher education than by providing scholarship resources to deserving students,” said Young. We commend Bank of America for bringing this support to our institution today.”
The Bank of America Foundation’s goal of providing a continuum of educational opportunities is supported by such causes as the bank’s $50 million, five-year grant to United Way’s Success by Six® initiative and its founding corporate partnership with Take Stock in Children.
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