The Coca-Cola Foundation Expands First Generation Scholarship Program to 30 Tribal Colleges

American Indian College Fund
Saturday, 1 May 1999

(May, 1999) -- The Coca-Cola Foundation is expanding its first generation college scholarship program to the 30 tribal colleges and universities supported by the American Indian College Fund. M. Douglas Ivester, Coca-Cola chairman and chief executive officer of The Coca-Cola Company announced the expansion in a commencement speech Saturday, at the University of North Alabama, in which he encouraged graduates to "maximize your possibilities."

"I was the first in my family to have the chance to go to college, and I know what that possibility has meant in my life," Mr. Ivester told the graduates. "That's why I'm so proud that our Company supports first-generation scholarships at colleges all over this country."

"Life on rural reservations with the highest poverty rates in the U.S. didn't offer much opportunity for higher education until the tribal college movement began," said Richard Williams, American Indian College Fund Executive Director. "Now with community colleges on reservations, Indian people can access what so many others take for granted."

Tribes have established their own colleges to meet the unique cultural needs of Native American students. More than 90 percent of American Indians who leave their reservations to attend mainstream public and private universities dropout. Tribal colleges, that incorporate Native culture and philosophy into curriculum, have much better success rates. More than 90 percent of tribal college graduates go on seek higher degrees or find good jobs.

Each of the 30 tribal colleges will select and enroll a student in the Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship Program beginning in academic year 1999-2000. First generation recipients, who must be full-time students, will pay no tuition to attend school.

The Coca- Cola Foundation created the first generation scholarship program in 1994 at Tennessee Technological University in Cookesville, Tenn., where approximately 60 percent of the student body is first-generation college attendees. The scholarship program has now expanded nationwide to more than 170 campuses in 18 states throughout the country. The Coca-Cola Company will contribute $100 million to education through the year 2000.

For more information, or to contact American Indian College Fund, see their website at: www.collegefund.org