Philip Morris International Awards College Scholarships to 41 Students

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PMI 2010 scholarship winner Brittney Williams, Shelbyville, KY

She's a hard worker, gets great grades and I'm extremely proud of her

Richmond, VA (PRWEB) August 12, 2010

In June 2010, Philip Morris International (PMI) awarded International Tobacco Procurement (ITP) scholarships to 41 college-bound students from throughout the U.S. tobacco-growing states. Since 2001, PMI's scholarship program has provided nearly $2 million in educational assistance to hundreds of U.S. college students from tobacco farm families.

"We're pleased to offer educational support to the families of the hard-working farmers who provide us with the world's best quality tobacco," says Lee Ryan, PMI Director of Agricultural Programs. "Improving education and helping strengthen the local farming communities where we source our tobacco are top PMI priorities."

A single parent of three children, Mike Williams of Shelbyville, Ky., has been selling his tobacco to Philip Morris for the last five years via direct contracting. His daughter, Brittney, is one of the 2010 scholarship recipients, and will be attending the University of Louisville for nursing. "She's a hard worker, gets great grades and I'm extremely proud of her," Williams says. "I can't say enough about the scholarship program. It's a big help, and one of the best things PMI could do for our family."

Robert Blythe of Seaman, Ohio, is also thankful for the 2010 PMI ITP scholarship awarded to his daughter, Sarah. "She's attending the University of Kentucky for premed, and this scholarship is helping ensure Sarah's future," he says. "That financial assistance is a wonderful help. We had a real wet season last year, and our tobacco crop wasn't very good." A full-time farmer, Blythe has grown tobacco for many years, and currently has 65 acres.

Two types of PMI ITP scholarships are available: college/in-college scholarships for high school seniors and in-college students planning to pursue a bachelor's degree; and vocational/technical scholarships for high school seniors or graduates pursuing a two-year vocational or technical degree.

In contrast to many scholarships, the PMI ITP scholarship program supports students throughout the full length of their schooling. "Every year, we're helping anywhere from 100 to 150 students further their education," Ryan adds. "Many of these students come from families with a long history of growing tobacco."

The family of another 2010 scholarship recipient, David Lloyd Thomas of Timberlake, N.C., has been growing tobacco for more than a century. "Our family has been farming for over six generations, and I feel fortunate to have been raised in this environment," Thomas says. His family's operation, Thomas Family Farms Inc., currently includes 150+ acres of flue-cured tobacco, as well as corn, wheat, soybeans and hogs.

Thomas is using his scholarship to continue his education in agriculture at Mount Olive College in Mount Olive, N.C. "With the help from PMI, I will have the opportunity to achieve my goal in pursuing a career that will not only help me, but my community as well. Our family has always considered Philip Morris to be a partner in the success of our family farm and we look forward to continuing this relationship."

Scholarship recipient Megan Brooke Copass of Fountain Run, Ky., also plans to study agriculture at Western Kentucky University. "One hundred percent of my family's income comes from farming. Not only do we raise tobacco, we have dairy and beef cows," she says. "Since I truly understand the real meaning of working for what I have, I am grateful for the financial help it will give my parents and me."

Several 2010 scholarship recipients are pursuing degrees in agriculture. Other common majors include nursing, engineering and chemistry. Scholarship amounts are based on merit and financial need, and winners are chosen by an independent committee.

For PMI ITP tobacco contract holders, 2011 scholarship applications will be available this fall at local PMI receiving stations.

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