FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2016

CONTACT:
McKenna Young
484-385-2913 (office)
[email protected]

12 Horatio Alger Association Scholars Awarded Annual Dennis R. Washington Achievement Graduate Scholarships

The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation provides grants of up to $120,000 to Horatio Alger Scholars who wish to obtain a master’s, doctoral or professional degree

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 21, 2016) – 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, today announced the 12 recipients of the 2016 Dennis R. Washington Achievement Graduate Scholarship. Endowed in 2008 and funded by the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation, this scholarship provides financial assistance to Alumni recipients of Horatio Alger Scholarships who aspire to pursue graduate degrees. Since its endowment, the program has awarded approximately $4,275,000 in scholarships and in 2016 alone, it provided more than $775,000 to these 12 students.

The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation was established in 1988 by Dennis Washington, chairman emeritus of Horatio Alger Association, and his wife, Phyllis. Since that time, the Foundation has donated more than $204 million to charitable causes. The Foundation, which supports deserving individuals in an effort to better society as a whole, established its Achievement Graduate Scholarship program to provide financial assistance exclusively to Horatio Alger undergraduate scholarship recipients who are committed to obtaining a graduate degree. In 2016, the Washington’s increased the maximum scholarship amount from $90,000 to $120,000 in recognition of the rising cost of tuition, especially for graduate studies. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and have demonstrated leadership experience, integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. They should also exhibit a passion for entrepreneurship and a commitment to community service.

“My wife, Phyllis, and I are strong believers in providing opportunities for those who are less fortunate, because it has the potential to change the trajectory of their lives and ultimately benefit society as a whole,” said Dennis Washington, co-founder, the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation and chairman emeritus, Horatio Alger Association. “By supporting these outstanding students today, we give them the tools and resources they need to become the next great leaders of this nation. We are proud to partner with Horatio Alger Association to advance the important mission of the organization and to support this year’s class of exceptional Scholars as they pursue their educational goals.”

The following Horatio Alger Scholars will receive up to $120,000 each for a master’s, doctoral or professional degree:

Dirir Abdullahi, University of Washington, Doctor of Medicine, 2011 Washington Scholar

Sasha Cernea, Campbell University, Doctor of Pharmacy, 2008 Missouri Scholar

Shavonne Cullers, Emory University, Master of Business Administration, 2006 National Scholar

Toan Do, Penn State, Doctor of Medicine, 2008 National Scholar

Miani Giron, University of California, Los Angeles, Doctor of Medicine, 2012 National Scholar

Alexandria Hansen, University of California, Santa Barbara, Doctor of Philosophy, 2006 California-Orange County Scholar

Nadia Marston, The University of Chicago, Master of Business Administration, 2006 Delaware Scholar

Jamie McGraw, Montana State University, Master of Education, 1994 National Scholar

Dinh Phan, Boston University, Doctor of Education, 2005 Texas Scholar

Katarzyna Pomian, DePaul University, Master of Science, 2012 Illinois Scholar

Mary Saville, University of Florida, Master of Business Administration, 1993 National Scholar

Elizabeth Williams, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, 2009 Franklin Scholar

Horatio Alger Association was founded in 1947, and since 1984, it has administered one of the nation’s largest privately-funded, need-based scholarship programs. The Association has awarded more than $125 million in undergraduate, graduate and specialized scholarships to students from across the United States (including all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) and Canada. In 2000, 16 years after the establishment of its National Scholarship Program, Horatio Alger Members began funding scholarships concentrated in each state to further the Association’s mission of helping deserving young people pursue their collegiate goals.

For more information about Horatio Alger Association, please visit www.horatioalger.org. To engage on social media, please “Like” the organization on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/HoratioAlgerUS).

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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 $12 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 22,000 deserving young people. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

About Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation:

Founded in 1988, the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation is the major philanthropic organization for The Washington Companies and the Washington family. Funding for the Foundation comes primarily from personal contributions from the Washington Family and profits of The Washington Companies. The Foundation focuses in the areas of education, arts and culture, health and human services, and community service. Since its inception, Foundation giving and the Washington family’s personal contributions and pledges to charitable causes total more than $204 million. The Foundation website is located at http://www.dpwfoundation.org.