Horatio Alger Association Raises More Than $13 Million as New Members and National Scholars are Honored at 70th Annual Horatio Alger Awards in Washington, D.C.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2017
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McKenna Young
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Horatio Alger Association Raises More Than $13 Million as New Members and National Scholars are Honored at 70th Annual Horatio Alger Awards in Washington, D.C.
The Association’s annual event raised a record sum in support of its scholarship programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 3, 2017) – Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, hosted its 70th Annual Horatio Alger Awards in Washington, D.C. this past weekend, March 30 – April 1. This annual event raised more than $13 million, which will be utilized to fund the organization’s growing college scholarship programs.
As part of the annual three-day celebration, the Association inducted its New Member Class of 2017, comprised of 11 exceptional business, civic and philanthropic leaders, all of whom have demonstrated honesty, determination and a strong work ethic in their pursuit of personal and professional success. Events during the weekend included formal induction ceremonies at the United States Supreme Court, the State Department and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Constitution Hall.
The New Member Class of 2017 represents the organization’s core values – perseverance, integrity and a commitment to excellence – and was honored with lifetime membership into the Association:
- Alain Bouchard, founder and executive chairman of the board, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
- John Elway, executive vice president of football operations/general manager, Denver Broncos
- Mellody Hobson, president, Ariel Investments, LLC
- Harold B. Matzner, chairman, CBA Industries Inc.
- Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, president and dean, Morehouse School of Medicine
- Roger S. Penske, chairman, Penske Corporation
- Byron Pitts, chief national correspondent, ABC News and co-anchor, ‘Nightline‘
- John H. Scully, co-founder and managing partner, SPO Partners & Co.
- Richard J Stephenson, founder & chairman, Cancer Treatment Centers of America and founder & chairman, International Capital & Management Company
- Marcia G. Taylor, president and chief executive officer, Bennett International Group, LLC
- Lenard B. Tessler, vice chairman and senior managing director, Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.
116 high school seniors were also honored during the weekend festivities. These young men and women were selected from thousands of applicants across the United States to receive the Horatio Alger National Scholarship, valued at $25,000. Acknowledged for their unwavering commitment to continuing their education and serving their communities despite facing incredible hardships, these remarkable students were recognized at the New Member induction events and provided the opportunity to connect with Horatio Alger Members, many of whom will serve as mentors as the Scholars enter college.
“As always, it was a privilege to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of the 2017 Horatio Alger Members and National Scholars,” said Tony Novelly, chairman, Horatio Alger Association. “Their stories of personal strength and resilience serve as important reminders that the American Dream is still thriving in the United States today. The Association’s mission reaffirms that with hard work and determination, anything is possible in this country. Horatio Alger Members and Scholars truly embody these values. Their successes are inspiring, and my fellow Members and I are proud to be a part of an organization that recognizes such exceptional individuals.”
Members – like Scholars – have also faced adversities, overcoming significant life challenges to achieve their success. As part of the Association’s programming, Members actively support and encourage Scholars in an effort to build the next generation of American leaders. Members, with Life Partners and Friends of the Association, fully fund its scholarship programs and importantly, 94 percent of the organization’s operating budget is spent on programs for Members and Scholars. Since the establishment of its scholarship program in 1984, Horatio Alger Association has afforded more than 25,000 students the opportunity to pursue a college education. In 2017 alone, the Association will award more than $18 million in need-based scholarships to more than 2,300 deserving, at-risk youth.
To view the complete list of 2017 Horatio Alger National Scholarship recipients, please click here.
For more information about Horatio Alger Association, please visit www.horatioalger.org. To engage on social media, follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #HoratioAlgerAwards.
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About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, the Association awards more than $18 million annually in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships across the United States and Canada and provides college support and mentoring services to its Scholars. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $125 million in college scholarships to more than 25,000 deserving young people. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.