Associated Industries announces $100,000+ scholarship program
(Spokane WA February, 2009) Associated Industries Board Chair, Holly Austin, of Inland Northwest Bank, unveiled details regarding development of a new Associated Industries scholarship program during the organization’s celebration of new offices, Thursday, November 13th. The organization’s purpose in developing the new $100,000+ Associated industries Bright Promise Program, said Austin, is to provide new opportunities for area young people. “Our Associated Industries Bright Promise Program scholarships are designed to fund hundreds of dollars-worth of student scholarships for the Northwest’s best and brightest, and we believe it’s only the beginning. We expect to see many of our partners and member businesses joining in to make the ‘promise’ even brighter for our future leaders and our community.”
About the Associated Industries Bright Promise Program
The Bright Promise Program, which will offer scholarships for the 2009 school year, is designed to:
§ Establish a vital link between the Inland Northwest business community, the Community Colleges of Spokane and Eastern Washington University through the development a scholarship program designed for students interested in study in one of four selected core industries:
o Business;
o Technology;
o Health services; or
o Manufacturing Tech
§ Increase awareness and appeal to regional students and instructors regarding advantages of
(1) The 2 + 2 College Attendance Plan which includes a two-year attendance at one of the Spokane Community Colleges followed by two additional years at Eastern Washington University
(2) The many promising career opportunities the four key industries offer
The purpose of the Bright Promise Program scholarship is to:
§ Provide the financial assistance and opportunity to obtain certificates and/or baccalaureate degrees to deserving students who might otherwise find higher learning unobtainable
§ Recognize academic excellence and the importance of higher education
§ Encourage workforce excellence and support a healthy business climate in the four core areas of study
The Bright Promise Program scholarship plan includes:
§ Investment by Associated Industries in a merit-based scholarship program, with $100,000 “seed money” from the Associated Industries Bright Promise Foundation, which will provide at least $25,000 per year in scholarships for at least four years, with the potential for that investment to increase with the addition of several partners. UnitedHealthcare has agreed to match Associated Industries level of commitment on a yearly basis, and other local and statewide partners have donated as well.
o The scholarship recipient pool will increase with each $100,000 partner match.
o Winners of the Associated Industries Bright Promise Program scholarships will be chosen based on the degree to which they meet requirements as determined by a select volunteer committee representing the Inland Northwest business community.