Mayor Kasim Reed to Recognize 75 Gates Millennium Scholars From Atlanta Area

Nation's Largest Minority Scholarship Program

FAIRFAX, Va., May 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) today announced that 75 Gates Millennium Scholars from Atlanta and surrounding counties in Georgia will be recognized at a reception hosted by The Honorable Kasim Reed, at Atlanta's City Hall, Thursday, May 13.  These students are a part of the 2010 Class Gates Millennium Scholars.  

The good-through-graduation college scholarships awarded through the Gates Millennium Scholars Program can be used at colleges or universities of the recipients' choice and have funding that can include graduate study through a doctoral degree in seven academic disciplines.

The 1,000 students selected nationwide are joining over 13,000 Gates Scholars from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five American territories including American Samoa, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Gates Scholars have an average graduation rate of almost 80 percent, which is higher than the national average rate.

"I want to congratulate the students from Atlanta who have been accepted into the Gates Millennium Scholars Program," Mayor Reed said. "This program, our nation's largest source of minority scholarships, enables thousands of dynamic students to attend college and ultimately become some of our nation's best and brightest leaders."

"I also want to acknowledge and thank the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNCF's President, Dr. Michael L. Lomax and program administrators of this program for contributing greatly to the success of our youth," Reed added.  

Established in 1999 with the goal of developing the next generation of leaders for the global economy, the Gates Millennium Scholars Program is funded by a $1.6 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In addition to financial assistance, Gates Millennium Scholars receive academic support, mentoring and leadership training.

"The 20,000 young men and women who will attend college as Gates Millennium Scholars will make a major contribution to helping the United States fulfill President Obama's goal of regaining for America world leadership in the proportion of citizens with college degrees," said Michael L. Lomax, UNCF President and CEO.  "The Gates Millennium Scholars Program is an investment in both the futures of these students and the country's economic and social strength and competitiveness."  

UNCF's management of the Gates Millennium Scholars Program is a partnership with the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars (AIGCS), the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) to serve Gates Millennium Scholars in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

For more information about GMS and a list of the Class of 2010 Gates Millennium Scholars, visit www.gmsp.org.

About GMS

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS), funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established in 1999 to provide outstanding low income African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline they choose. Continuing Gates Scholars may request funding for a graduate degree program in one of the following discipline areas: computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science. The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence by providing thousands of outstanding students, who have significant financial need, the opportunity to reach their full potential.

About UNCF

UNCF—the United Negro College Fund—is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization.  To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students' education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 39 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education.  UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 18 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."® Learn more at www.UNCF.org.

SOURCE United Negro College Fund Gates Millennium Scholars Program

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