Ford Pledges $50,000 to Hites Transfer Scholarship Challenge

The Ford College Student Purchase Program has pledged $50,000 to kick off the Hites Transfer Scholarship Challenge. During Phi Theta Kappa's recent International Convention, Ford's Crystal Greene accepted the Alliance for Educational Excellence Award, presented to the Ford College Student Purchase Program. In her acceptance speech she announced the $50,000 pledge.

"Ford has once again shown their commitment to community colleges and higher education," said Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director Rod A. Risley. "We were pleased to recognize their past contributions through the Alliance for Educational Excellence Award, and we were totally surprised - and totally thrilled - to hear Ms. Greene's announcement of their generous contribution to the Hites Scholarship Challenge."

The Hites Family Community College Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, Missouri, has offered to help establish a $1 million transfer scholarship endowment for Phi Theta Kappa, based on an almost 2-1 match. Phi Theta Kappa has been challenged to raise $350,000, which will be matched almost 2-1 by the Hites Family Foundation to create the $1 million endowment.

The Hites Challenge was announced by Executive Director Risley just before Board Chair Kip Johnson presented the Alliance for Educational Excellence Award, Phi Theta Kappa's highest honor for foundations, organizations and associations. Greene is Sponsorships and Alliance Marketing Manager.

In making the presentation, Johnson thanked the Ford College Student Purchase Program for providing financial assistance to Project Graduation, Phi Theta Kappa's civic engagement initiative that uses college commencements as a vehicle to collect non-perishable food items and books for community service agencies.

"Since 2002, Ford and Phi Theta Kappa have worked together to battle the societal issues of hunger and illiteracy," Johnson said, citing collections of approximately 535,000 food items and 410,000 books.

"Ford has supported Phi Theta Kappa members and community college students in their efforts to become engaged citizens, and reinforced the value of service - teaching our members that as scholars and leaders, they have a responsibility to improve their communities," Johnson said.

Contributions to the Hites Scholarship Challenge from Convention attendees and other sources are currently being tabulated and will be announced soon. For information about the Hites Challenge and donations to the Challenge and the 1918 Club, celebrating Phi Theta Kappa's 90th anniversary, contact Director of Institutional Advancement Dr. Nancy Rieves at 1.800.946.9995, ext. 3537.

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