Loews Corporation Announces 2013 National Merit® Scholarship Program Winners

NEW YORK, July 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Loews Corporation (NYSE: L) today announced that five exceptional high school students have been awarded college scholarships as part of the National Merit^® Scholarship Program funded by the Loews Foundation. Scholarships were awarded to four children of Loews employees who have been recognized as National Merit Scholars or Special Scholarship recipients. The fifth student is a National Achievement^® Scholar from a New York City high school who also qualified as a Finalist in the National Achievement Scholarship Program. Each award has a maximum value of $5,000 per year for up to four years of undergraduate study. 

National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) professional staff chose winners from among eligible candidates based on academic achievement, extracurricular accomplishments and personal qualities and character. NMSC committees review each candidate's academic record, essay, demonstrated leadership in school and community activities and a high school official's recommendation. Scholarship recipients are the candidates judged to have the strongest combination of abilities, skills and accomplishments.

Menna-Allah Elaskandrany, a senior at Stuyvesant High School in New York, N.Y., was awarded a 2013 National Achievement Loews Scholarship. She plans to attend Stony Brook University to major in premedical studies and pursue a career as a physician. Ms. Elaskandrany has volunteered at the Steinway Family Health Center, New York Hospital of Queens and been an intern at the office of a medical doctor.  At Stuyvesant, she served as president of the Muslims' Association. She has also taught English at Fakous High School for Girls in Egypt.  

The four children of Loews employees honored with scholarships funded by the Loews Foundation are:

Caroline Bilbe, a senior at Saint Scholastica Academy in Covington, Louisiana, is a 2013 Loews Scholarship recipient. Ms. Bilbe plans to attend Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge and pursue a career as a physician. At Saint Scholastica Academy, her teachers named her the outstanding student in biology and advanced placement psychology. Her myriad extra-curricular activities include the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and community work with the Silent Angels Foundation and the Teddy Bear Tea. She is also part of the school's student ministry team and a member of the Respect Life Club. Ms. Bilbe has been an integral part of the St. Paul's cheerleading squad, and served as captain her senior year. Ms. Bilbe is the daughter of David Bilbe, general manager of Loews New Orleans Hotel.

David Dohrenwend, a senior at Owensboro High School in Owensboro, Kentucky, is a 2013 National Merit Loews Scholarship recipient. He plans to attend the University of Michigan, where he will study mechanical engineering. Mr. Dohrenwend has been active in high school soccer, including serving as team captain his senior year. His many high school activities have included the National Honor Society and serving as treasurer of the Foreign Language Club. Mr. Dohrenwend has also served on the Kentucky Youth Assembly, Kentucky United Nations Assembly and student council. He is the son of Shannon O'Connor, senior planning engineer at Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP, a Loews Corporation subsidiary. 

Philip Lanz, a senior at Owensboro High School in Owensboro, Kentucky, is a 2013 Loews Scholarship recipient. He plans to attend the University of Kentucky, where he will study economics. Mr. Lanz has participated in sports, high school leadership organizations and volunteer projects. He is captain of the varsity golf team and plays on the varsity tennis team. He has been secretary of the student council, an Academy of Young Leaders mentor, president of the high school spirit club and a member of the National Honor Society. In addition, he has been active in the Future Business Leaders of America. Mr. Lanz is the son of Douglas Lanz, payroll manager, and Kathy Lanz, accounting analyst, at Boardwalk Pipeline Partners. 

Anna Nathanson, a senior at Ridgewood High School in New Jersey, was recognized as a National Merit Loews Scholar. She plans to attend the University of Chicago and study political science and government. Ms. Nathanson is captain of the debate team, president of the mock trial program and participates in the color guard on the high school marching band. Ms. Nathanson has been active with community and volunteer work, including work with C.A.M.P. as a tutor for kids with their homework and Oasis as a summer camp supervisor. Ms. Nathanson is daughter of Jonathan Nathanson, senior vice president, corporate development, at Boardwalk Pipeline Partners.

"The Loews Foundation is once again pleased to recognize exceptional and talented students from the Loews family and from the New York City community," said Andrew H. Tisch, co-chairman of the board and chairman of the executive committee of Loews Corporation. "The prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program shines a spotlight on brilliant students, honoring their academic, community and leadership achievements in high school. At the same time, this program provides important financial support to help each recipient succeed in college and pursue their dreams. We are proud to support this program and we congratulate our 2013 winners – Caroline Bilbe, David Dohrenwend, Menna-Allah Elaskandrany, Philip Lanz and Anna Nathanson – and their parents." 

About Loews Corporation

Loews Corporation is one of the largest diversified companies in the U.S. Its principal subsidiaries are CNA Financial Corporation (NYSE:CNA), a 90% owned subsidiary; Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (NYSE:DO), a 50.4% owned subsidiary; Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (NYSE:BWP), a 53% owned subsidiary; HighMount Exploration & Production LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary and Loews Hotels, a wholly owned subsidiary. For more information please visit www.loews.com

About National Merit Scholarship Corporation

Established in 1955 National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. Scholarships provided through the National Merit Scholarship Program are supported by about 240 corporations, company foundations and businesses, and by NMSC's own funds. In addition, about 200 colleges and universities provide National Merit® Scholarships. Approximately 10,200 scholarships worth nearly $50 million are awarded annually in NMSC programs. Since its founding, NMSC has recognized 3 million students and provided over 377,000 scholarships worth about $1.5 billion. The honors awarded by NMSC to exceptionally able students are viewed as definitive marks of excellence. Recipients of Merit Scholarship® awards, Achievement Scholarship® awards and corporate-sponsored Special Scholarships have increased the nation's respect for intellectual accomplishments and have contributed significantly to its talent pool of future leaders. Grants and contributions to NMSC are deductible by the donor under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.

SOURCE Loews Corporation