FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2002
CONTACT: Kay Hendricks, ACCD Coordinator of Communication
210.208.8006

ALAMO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT AWARDS $346,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS

The San Antonio Livestock Exposition (S.A.L.E.) and the ACCD Foundation have awarded a total of $346,000 in scholarships, making it possible for 255 students to attend the Alamo Community Colleges in fall 2002 and spring 2003.

"Public and private scholarships such as these, along with grants and student loans, make it possible for us to provide a total of more than $50 million a year in financial aid to our students," said ACCD Interim Chancellor Dr. Ernest A. Martinez. "We deeply appreciate the generosity of these organizations in helping so many students to achieve their educational goals," he added.

The ACCD Foundation awarded two-year scholarships ranging from $500 to $750 per semester to 214 students for the 2002-2003 academic year. This is the largest number of students who have received Foundation scholarships since they were first awarded in 1995. The ACCD Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million in scholarships, benefitting more than 1,000 students. The ACCD Foundation Scholars awards are available to full-time students with a 3.0 GPA who demonstrate financial need.

The two-year S.A.L.E. scholarships, each for $4,000, were given to 25 students this year. Another 16 are receiving S.A.L.E. scholarships for a second year. Ten years ago, the ACCD was the first Bexar County institution to receive a scholarship gift from S.A.L.E. To date, S.A.L.E. has contributed nearly $734,000 to the district for scholarships. The S.A.L.E. scholarships are available to students from Bexar, Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina, Wilson, Frio, Karnes and Kerr counties who are majoring in areas that impact agriculture at any ACCD college. Students must enroll in a minimum of 12 semester hours each semester for four consecutive semesters and maintain a 2.0 GPA to be eligible for a S.A.L.E. scholarship.

The ACCD Foundation Board is chaired by Jackie Van De Walle. Tino Duran is vice chairman. Alvaro Rodriguez, Jr. is secretary and Dr. Ralph F. Wells is treasurer. The board members are: Cynthia L. Beverage, Gloria M. Bryant, P. Gus Cardenas, Marty Gonzalez, Joe Lopez, Sr., Edwin T. McQuiston, George Ozuna, Jr., Gaylord E. Reaves and Roberta Tiner.