United Negro College Fund Receives $1 Million Gift From General Motors

The College Fund (UNCF)
Wednesday, 22 May 2002

Grant Will Help Improve Technology at UNCF Institutions and Create Leon H. Sullivan Fellowship Program

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) today announced a $1 million grant from General Motors that will support UNCF's Technology Enhancement Capital Campaign (TECC) and its 39 member institutions. The grant will also create the Leon H. Sullivan Fellowship Program.

The $1 million grant is broken down into three critical areas. This includes allocating $500,000 to the UNCF Technology Enhancement Capital Campaign, $400,000 to create the Leon H. Sullivan Fellowship program, and $100,000 to UNCF's annual campaign that provides vital unrestricted money to UNCF's member institutions.

"This generous grant from General Motors will help UNCF achieve the objectives of TECC and support our 39 member colleges and universities," said William H. Gray III, president & CEO of UNCF. "We are extremely appreciative of General Motors' support and commitment to expanding educational opportunities for deserving young men and women."

The Technology Enhancement Capital Campaign was launched by UNCF in March 2000 to strengthen the technological capacities of UNCF's member institutions by bolstering software, hardware, technical support, and training and faculty development.

"As the world's largest manufacturer, we have a profound appreciation for technology. We are pleased to be able to support UNCF's Technology Enhancement Capital Campaign and help provide education to financially disadvantaged young men and women," said John D. Finnegan, GM executive vice president and GMAC chairman and CEO, during the check presentation. Finnegan is also a UNCF board member.

The UNCF/GM Leon Sullivan Fellowship Program was developed as a tribute to Reverend Leon H. Sullivan's mission and his Global Sullivan Principles. The fellowship program will provide students and faculty with scholarships and stipends as incentives to develop and deliver courses, workshops, and seminars to promote Sullivan's legacy at select institutions. In addition, the program will provide an opportunity for outstanding students to participate in a paid 12-week summer internship.

Founded in 1944, the United Negro College Fund is the nation's oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization. UNCF has raised nearly $1.8 billion to support its 39 member institutions and has helped more than 300,000 students earn undergraduate and graduate degrees. Currently, UNCF administers more than 450 programs, including scholarship programs, mentoring, summer enrichment, curriculum and faculty development and leadership development.

For more information, or to contact The College Fund (UNCF), see their website at: www.uncf.org