MOUNT VERNON -
Brewton-Parker College sophomore Leah Floyd of Jesup is one of more than 665
students at private institutions nationwide to receive an educational grant from
the United Parcel Service Foundation.The UPS Foundation, the charity arm of the world's largest package distribution and logistics company, based in Atlanta, and the Foundation for Independent Higher Education (FIHE) of Washington, D.C., announced that nearly $2.3 million in grants were awarded to benefit private colleges and universities across the nation.
Floyd, the daughter of Bill and Becky Floyd of Jesup, is an undecided major whose interests include art and missions. Her scholarship totals $2,750, with half applied to each of the fall and spring semesters.
"I fell honored and amazed to have received this scholarship," said Floyd, who was selected to receive the scholarship by Ione Maze, director of financial aid at Brewton-Parker.
"A reward like this made all those hours I spent in the library last year worthwhile."
UPS scholarships are dispersed to students chosen by their institutions on the basis of financial need and academic achievement. Last year, an additional $1 million was budgeted for matching grants to support innovative programs designed to improve educational services for students and to encourage collaboration among colleges.
Programs were selected through a competitive matching grants process called the UPS National Venture Fund. In 2002, 15 such grants were made. With the required matching grants, the total impact of these programs is expected to exceed $4.6 million.
The UPS scholarships and grants are funded by the UPS Educational Endowment Fund, which is held and administered by FIHE and was originally funded through grants to FIHE from the UPS Foundation. Since its inception, the UPS Educational Endowment Fund has generated nearly $32 million in scholarship support. The endowment's current value is $41 million.
FIHE administers the program in cooperation with its Georgia partner, the Georgia Foundation for Independent Colleges.
"For 50 years, the UPS Foundation has been honored to support education through partnerships with such organizations as FIHE and the Georgia Foundation for Independent Colleges," Evern Cooper, president of the UPS Foundation, said in announcing the UPS Scholarships. "The availability of quality, affordable higher education at places like Brewton-Parker College is critical to establishing a talented, more diverse workforce."
-BPC-