FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 28, 2002
CONTACT: KAY HENDRICKS
COORDINATOR OF COMMUNICATION
(210) 208-8006

THE GAMBRINUS COMPANY DONATES $525,000 TO THE ALAMO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

The Gambrinus Company has given $525,000 to the Alamo Community College District (ACCD) to create the Gambrinus Scholarship Fund, which will provide scholarships for ACCD students who are planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution after completing their first two years at an ACCD college. This gift is the largest lump-sum donation ever received by the district. The ACCD Foundation will match $500,000 of the gift amount over the next 20 years, resulting in a total endowment of $1 million.

The first Gambrinus Scholarships have already been awarded to 16 ACCD students who are enrolled this fall at Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College and San Antonio College. Each received a $1,500 scholarship ($750 each semester) for the fall 2002 and spring 2003 semesters.

"We are deeply honored to receive such an incredibly generous gift," said ACCD Chancellor Robert W. Ramsay. "This historic contribution recognizes the key role our colleges play in providing the first two years of a bachelor’s degree for so many students in our area and affirms the support we have in the community for our many successes," Ramsay added.

"All of us at The Gambrinus Company are extremely pleased to see this fine group of Gambrinus scholars begin their first year at college and congratulate each scholarship recipient," said Gambrinus President and CEO Carlos Alvarez. "This is an exciting time for these students, and we wish them much success in the initial stage towards their pursuit of a four-year college endeavor."

Headquartered in San Antonio, The Gambrinus Company is the exclusive distributor of Corona Extra, the number one imported beer in the U.S., as well as Moosehead and other popular brands. The company, founded by Alvarez in 1986, also owns the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas, maker of Shiner Bock, Bridgeport Brewing Company, the oldest microbrewery in Oregon, and Pete’s Brewing Company, maker of Pete’s Wicked Ale. The Gambrinus Company’s products were awarded six medals at the prestigious 2002 Brewing Industry International Awards held in London earlier this year.

One of the first recipients of a Gambrinus Scholarship is NVC student Pamela Tyrone, who is enrolled in a 2+2 transfer program and will pursue a bachelor’s degree in communications at UTSA. "This scholarship will help me to continue concentrating on my studies and making good grades, versus worrying about how I will pay my bills," said Tyrone. "It will help my family in the future and will help me to achieve the education that I will need to be successful."

The Gambrinus scholarships are intended to serve as an incentive and reward for “C” and “B” high school graduates with the motivation, ambition and tenacity to pursue four-year bachelor degrees, despite financial and academic obstacles. To be considered for a Gambrinus Scholarship, students must be high school graduates with a cumulative GPA of at least 74 and no more than 85. They must be enrolled at an ACCD college, taking 12 or more credit hours, and must demonstrate a commitment to pursue a four-year bachelor’s degree by participating in either the ACCD 2+2 transfer program or the ACCD joint admission program. Scholarship recipients must participate each year in academic and career counseling at the ACCD college they attend.

Recipients also must demonstrate financial need and will be expected to complete and submit an application for federal financial assistance. Scholarships will be no less than 75%, and not more than 90%, of the cost of tuition, fees and books for one academic year for a full-time student.

To be considered for a second or third year scholarship, the recipient must meet ACCD financial aid satisfactory progress criteria, must continue as a full-time student and must continue to meet all other eligibility criteria.

To apply, prospective recipients should complete an application and submit it to the applicable ACCD college office of student financial services. For more information, contact the financial aid office at any of the colleges or call the ACCD Institutional Advancement office at 210-208-8105.