AT&T Awards $10,000 in New Scholarship Funds to South Carolina State University
SAN ANTONIO, April 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — AT&T Inc. announced today a donation of $10,000 to the South Carolina State University (SCSU) Foundation to create five new scholarships to benefit the institution’s student body. The scholarships will commemorate the first presidential primary debate being held in the South during this election cycle and will be only the second debate ever held on the campus of one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).
Working to improve and enhance educational opportunities is an important part of AT&T’s corporate philosophy. The scholarship funds will be presented before the April 26 Democratic presidential primary debate, which will take place on the campus of South Carolina State University.
The scholarships will honor U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn, an alumnus and proud supporter of South Carolina State University in Orangeburg.
“I thank AT&T for their commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and employing a diverse workforce,” said Clyburn. “Education is critical to success. The things I learned from my experiences at State formed much of who I am today. I am pleased that five deserving students will have a similar opportunity, thanks to the generosity of AT&T.”
“We recognize the significance of this debate being held on the campus of a historically black college and university, the rich history of South Carolina State University and the large impact that Representative Clyburn has had on the university and its student body,” said Gregg Morton, president-AT&T South Carolina. “To commemorate this event and honor Representative Clyburn, AT&T is proud to make a $10,000 contribution to the South Carolina State University Foundation to create five new scholarships.”
AT&T employs approximately 3,100 people in South Carolina. The company has been consistently recognized for its commitment to education and diversity. AT&T recently achieved its highest-ever ranking from DiversityInc magazine, ranking third on this year’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity list for the company’s commitment to diversity in the workplace and marketplace. The company was also included on two of DiversityInc’s specialty lists, ranking No. 1 among the Top 10 Companies for African Americans and No. 3 among the Top 10 Companies for Recruitment and Retention.
AT&T acquired BellSouth Corp. in late 2006, consolidating ownership of the Cingular brand. Prior to the merger, the former BellSouth and Cingular had their own distinguished records of diversity, ranking No. 9 and No. 15, respectively, among DiversityInc’s 2006 Top 50 Companies for Diversity, and inclusion, and those commitments are continuing within the new AT&T. Last year the former BellSouth and Cingular also received high marks from DiversityInc, ranking No. 9 and No. 15, respectively, among the 2006 Top 50 Companies for Diversity.
AT&T’s 50-state workforce is 46 percent female and 38 percent people of color. Supplier diversity is a critical initiative of AT&T’s business strategy and a key component of the company’s plan to deliver the best products and services to its customers. In 2006, AT&T spent $5.15 billion with diverse suppliers.
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About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world’s most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation’s leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/.
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AT&T Inc.
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