Wachovia Supports Incentive Awards Scholars from Prince George's County

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Wachovia Corporation is giving $150,000 to support the University of Maryland's Incentive Awards Program, which rewards students determined to succeed against the odds of adverse life circumstances.

Wachovia's gift, the largest corporate gift made to the program, will support Incentive Awards scholars from Prince George's County. Sam Schreiber, regional president for Wachovia in Greater Washington, D.C., presented the donation during a ceremony at the university on December 6.

Present (L-R) at the check presentation ceremony were: (first row) University of Maryland President C.D. Mote, Jr; Incentive Awards students De'Angela Boone, Maria Vasquez, Komi Akoumany and Kareem Shakoor; Sam Schreiber, regional president for Wachovia in Greater Washington, D.C.; (second row) Kimmey Doney of Wachovia, Jacqueline Lee, director of the Incentive Awards Program; Andrew Casem of Wachovia; (third row) Barbara Goliday and Dan Fullenkamp, both of Wachovia. Photo Credit: John Consoli

The Incentive Awards Program provides full scholarships, academic support and personal mentoring for public school graduates who have demonstrated a capacity to overcome incredibly difficult personal and community obstacles. Begun in 2001, the program originally targeted graduates of the Baltimore City Public Schools, but this year expanded to public school graduates in Prince George's County.

"At Wachovia, we know that education is the cornerstone for much of what we accomplish in life and we believe that every individual deserves access to a first-rate learning environment," said Schreiber. "We want to give as many people as possible the tools to reach their fullest potential. This contribution to the University of Maryland's Incentive Awards Program reaches individuals who have overcome tremendous odds and earned this opportunity."

Wachovia's $150,000 gift is the second major award that the program has received this year for support of Prince George's County Incentive Awards scholars. In September the Prince George's County Council awarded the program $500,000.

"Wachovia has raised the bar for corporate support of this wonderful program, and I speak for the whole university in saying that we are very grateful," said University of Maryland President C. D. Mote, Jr. "This gift shows that Wachovia shares the university's belief that affordable higher education is essential to build a thriving community."

Through the Incentive Awards Program, the university recognizes and promotes achievement, community responsibility and leadership among young people who have not allowed the difficult challenges of their daily lives to deter them from pursuing success in school. "These students have faced significant loss, volatility and struggle throughout their lives," says Jacqueline Lee, director of the Incentive Awards Program. "But they persevere. They rely on incredible fortitude and strength of character to succeed academically, socially and, after graduation, professionally."

At the heart of the Incentive Awards Program is the creation of an intimate community of students, advisors and faculty mentors that fosters the development of character, critical thinking and leadership. Students receive full financial assistance for four years to attend Maryland. They are expected to live on campus and participate in a variety of unique learning and leadership development activities. They also must be active in their high schools and communities as role models for future students.

Incentive Awards students come from nine high schools in Baltimore and five in Prince Georges County. The Prince George's County high schools are Central, Fairmont Heights, Suitland, Northwestern and Potomac. Beginning with next year's class, the Wachovia gift will support Prince George's Incentive Awards students from Potomac and Suitland high schools. The university encourages counselors at the target schools to conduct open, internal competitions to select nominees who meet the criteria for the award. Candidates must be graduating seniors who meet at least the minimum requirements for admission to the University of Maryland and also have significant financial need. A selection committee, composed of corporate and community leaders and university alumni, interviews each nominee and selects finalists from each school. Applicants are compared only with others from the same school.

The award decision is based heavily on the students' demonstration of outstanding character, resilience, academic commitment, leadership, community involvement and perseverance in the face of adversity.

"This is not simply a scholarship program," said Mote. "It is a commitment to help students who have faced challenging circumstances to blossom and grow in their contributions to society. They get access to the resources of the state's premier research university in their determination to become productive citizens of the world."

About the University of Maryland

06173