The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges
250 E. Broad St., Suite 1700
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3722
For more information contact Lynne Briggs or Cheryl Kight at
614-469-1950 or briggs@ofic.org, kight@ofic.org
October 5, 2010
THE OHIO FOUNDATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES DISTRIBUTES $91,800 IN UPS SCHOLARSHIPS TO OHIO PRIVATE COLLEGES
The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) has distributed $91,800 in need-based UPS Scholarships to 60 students enrolled in its 34 member colleges and universities across the state. The scholarships were made possible by a grant that OFIC received from the UPS Educational Endowment Fund at the Foundation for Independent Higher Education (FIHE) in Washington, DC.
FIHE and the UPS Foundation partnered to provide more than $1.5 million nationally in student scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year. All of the scholarships were facilitated through grants to state-based private college associations around the country.
Ohio institutions that received UPS Scholarships from OFIC include its 34 member colleges and universities: Ashland University, Baldwin-Wallace College, Bluffton University, Capital University, Cedarville University, University of Dayton, Defiance College, Denison University, The University of Findlay, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Franklin University, Heidelberg University, Hiram College, John Carroll University, Kenyon College, Lake Erie College, Lourdes College, Malone University, Marietta College, University of Mount Union, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Muskingum University, Notre Dame College, Oberlin College, Ohio Dominican University, Ohio Northern University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Otterbein University, Urbana University, Ursuline College, Walsh University, Wilmington College, Wittenberg University and The College of Wooster.
The UPS Educational Endowment Fund, which is held and administered by FIHE, was initiated through endowment gifts from the UPS Foundation totaling $4 million and is now valued at $35 million. Since its inception, this fund has awarded $46 million in scholarship support to more than 15,000 students nationwide.
“A college degree opens the door to countless opportunities,” said Ken Sternad, president of The UPS Foundation. “UPS takes great pride in our long-standing partnership with FIHE and in our support of thousands of students over the years who have been able to pursue an education from our nation’s private colleges.”
“This joint UPS/FIHE scholarship program has a direct, tangible impact on the education and careers of hundreds of young men and women each year,” said Ned Moore, Executive Director of FIHE. “Because so many young men and women don’t have the financial resources to complete their college education, the UPS Scholarships are critically important.”
Ed Hartzell, Chair of the OFIC Board, stated, "The education of Ohio's citizens is critical to our economic recovery, growth, and stability. The number of Ohioans that have earned at least a bachelor's degree must increase in order for our state to compete in a global economy that is constantly changing and ever-more-dependent upon a highly educated, skilled workforce. The UPS Foundation, through FIHE and OFIC, has provided scholarship funds for 36 years for students with financial need enrolled at OFIC member colleges and universities. We value The UPS Foundation's long partnership with OFIC and its commitment
to providing college access for Ohio's students."
About FIHE
The Foundation for Independent Higher Education is the national partner in a network of 32 state associations, including OFIC, which develop resources for private colleges and universities. Since its founding in 1958, FIHE and its partners have received more than $1.6 billion in support for private colleges. For more information, visit www.fihe.org.
About The UPS Foundation
Founded in 1951 and based in Atlanta, GA, The UPS Foundation’s major areas of focus include community safety, non-profit effectiveness, economic and global literacy, environmental sustainability, and diversity. The UPS Foundation pursues these initiatives by identifying specific projects where its support can help produce a measurable social impact. In 2009, The UPS Foundation directed more than $98 million in philanthropy to charitable organizations worldwide. Visit community.ups.com for more information about UPS’ community involvement.
OFIC is the primary corporate and foundation solicitation organization for 34 independent Ohio colleges and universities and operates one of the largest, most comprehensive and diverse scholarship programs in the state. OFIC member colleges collectively enroll 99,000 students and award one-third of all bachelor’s degrees in the state. For 60 years OFIC has worked to highlight the leadership, value and excellence of independent higher education and has provided unrestricted operating funds and scholarship commitments through funds raised in annual solicitations of businesses and foundations, thereby assuring continuation of excellence in private higher education. OFIC is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of Ohio’s corporate leaders, as well as presidents of the 34 member colleges.
The member colleges are: Ashland University, Baldwin-Wallace College, Bluffton University, Capital University, Cedarville University, University of Dayton, Defiance College, Denison University, The University of Findlay, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Franklin University, Heidelberg University, Hiram College, John Carroll University, Kenyon College, Lake Erie College, Lourdes College, Malone University, Marietta College, University of Mount Union, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Muskingum University, Notre Dame College, Oberlin College, Ohio Dominican University, Ohio Northern University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Otterbein University, Urbana University, Ursuline College, Walsh University, Wilmington College, Wittenberg University and The College of Wooster.
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