Washington, DC, Aug. 28, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Thurgood Marshall College Fund is pleased to announce a $500,000 grant from Lowe's to assist students attending publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) . This grant will assist graduating seniors in need of financial support to complete their final course requirements at TMCF's 47 member-schools.
"Thousands of college students today continue to face the fear of having to drop out, even in their last year, due to financial difficulties," said TMCF President & CEO Johnny C. Taylor Jr . "With continued funding from foundations, government entities and companies like Lowe's, TMCF is able to step in and become a lifeline to help students fulfill their college dreams."
Allek Surratt, a Howard University senior majoring in accounting, was a student in this very dilemma in 2013. Surratt needed additional financial assistance to cover his tuition costs so he could complete his graduation requirements.
"I extend my sincerest gratitude to Lowe's and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund for the scholarship I received for the 2013-2014 academic year," Surratt said. "It was a long journey to get to this moment; and now I am face-to-face with the opportunity to graduate from Howard with honors."
Lowe's has donated more than $4 million to national partners since 2009 to help college seniors complete their education. For the past four years, Lowe's has partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to fund scholarships for more than 140 students; and, today's $500,000 donation brings Lowe's contributions to TMCF to nearly $1 million.
"Improving educational opportunities for students has been an important focus for Lowe's for more than 50 years," said Joan Higginbotham , Lowe's director of community relations. "In partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, we're honored to provide the critical assistance students need to reach the finish line and graduate."
Grant funding and individual giving enables TMCF to continue to build programs that help students get the most from their education and provide opportunities to become part of a new generation of global leaders.
"The increased costs of college, along with stricter grant and loan requirements, makes corporate gifts like this all the more important as we do our best to help all students get to and through college," Taylor said. "Lowe's has been a great supporter of TMCF , and its continued partnership demonstrates its commitment to improve education and build tomorrow's leaders."
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ABOUT THE THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND (TMCF)
TMCF is named for the U.S. Supreme Court's first African-American Justice. Established in 1987, TMCF supports and represents nearly 300,000 students attending its 47 member-schools that include publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), medical schools and law schools. Through its scholarships and programs, TMCF plays a key role in preparing the leaders of tomorrow. For more information on TMCF programs, visit www.thurgoodmarhsallcollegefund.org
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ABOUT LOWE'S IN THE COMMUNITY
Lowe's, a FORTUNE ® 100 home improvement company, has a 50-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. Since 2007, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed nearly $200 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility and LowesInTheCommunity.tumblr.com .
A photo accompanying this release is available at:
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=27364
TMCF: Lowes: Tangie Newborn Steve Salazar 202-888-0039 704-758-4345
