St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) August 04, 2014
Actor, comedian, philanthropist and education activist Cedric “The Entertainer” will give an encore performance as host on August 7 when UNCF (the United Negro College Fund), the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization, presents 65 scholarships to 60 exceptional St. Louis students at the 4th annual UNCF Scholarship Awards Dinner. The event will take place at the Norwood Hills Country Club and represents an investment in St. Louis’ future as area young people get the support they need to get to and through college.
Tammie Holland, Morning Show Host on Clear Channel Media + Entertainment’s Majic 100.3 FM will be mistress of ceremonies. Julio Suarez, senior director, Community Affairs for Anheuser-Busch will bring greetings from the St. Louis-based brewer and the Presenting Sponsor of the UNCF Scholarship Awards Dinner.
“Support for the UNCF Scholarship Awards Dinner is a generous gift and an investment in better futures for our next generation of civic, business and community leaders,” said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., president and CEO, UNCF. “The investment that we make now will pay dividends, not just for the scholarship recipients themselves, but for their families, St. Louis and all of us. They are our future.”
Cedric “The Entertainer” has a long history of support for students, education and UNCF’s mission of building the robust pipeline of African American college graduates the country needs to remain competitive in the 21st century. In addition to the 16 Cedric “The Entertainer” Foundation scholarships he will present, 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 – 25 students;
- Howard Foundation of St. Louis – 20 students;
- Normandy School District – 3 students;
- Reliable Life Insurance – 1 student.
Anheuser-Busch serves as the UNCF Scholarship Awards Dinner Presenting Sponsor. Master Sponsors are Fifth Third Bank, Southeast Missouri State University, and Wells Fargo Advisors. In addition to serving as a Master Sponsor, Wells Fargo Advisors will hold a financial planning seminar for scholarship recipients and their families prior to the dinner.
“Anheuser-Busch is a champion of educational access and opportunity for all, investing heavily in the development of human talent and potential,” said Julio Suárez, Senior Director, Community Affairs, Anheuser-Busch. “Our nearly 40-year partnership with UNCF reflects Anheuser-Busch’s commitment to promoting academic excellence and professional mobility for talented students in St. Louis and across the nation.”
UNCF awards more than 10,000 scholarships per year under more than 400 programs to students at 900 colleges and universities across the country. Thanks to this investment, UNCF scholarship recipients have a 70% average graduation rate, almost double the rate for all African American college students and significantly higher than the 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 students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates 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. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities. Learn more at http://www.uncf.org.
###