FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2016

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

Horatio Alger Association Honors Knoxville Businessman James A. “Jim” Haslam II and Two National Scholarship Recipients from Tennessee

James Haslam and the Tennessee Scholars are recognized by the Association for their remarkable achievements in the face of adversity and their commitment to higher education

 WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 11, 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, will induct Tennessee resident James A. “Jim” Haslam II, founder and chairman of Pilot Corporation, as a lifetime Member at the annual Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in spring 2016. Concurrently, two outstanding Tennessee high school students will be awarded the prestigious Horatio Alger National Scholarship. Association Members and Scholars are selected based on their commitment to higher education and determination to succeed in the face of significant adversity. Members serve as mentors to this future generation of leaders.

Named for renowned author Horatio Alger Jr., who wrote about the merits of honesty, courage and perseverance as the means to success, Horatio Alger Association was established in 1947 to uphold these tenets, which are core to achieving the American Dream. To further its mission, individuals who have achieved great success despite difficult personal challenges and who also demonstrate initiative, resilience and excellence, such as Mr. Haslam, are annually inducted into the Association as lifetime Members.

“Mr. Haslam truly understands the value of higher education,” said Byron Trott, president and CEO, Horatio Alger Association. “The first in his family to attend college, he founded his own business which today, employs more than 23,000 people. His keen entrepreneurial talent and commitment to myriad charitable causes are qualities that merit great respect.  My fellow Members and I are proud to welcome him as a lifetime Member of the Association.”

Since 1984, Horatio Alger Association has administered one of the nation’s largest privately funded, need-based scholarship programs, which provides educational assistance to promising students with an admirable commitment to continuing their education and serving their communities. The Association has provided more than $125 million in undergraduate, graduate and specialized scholarships in just over 30 years. The following students from Tennessee have been recognized for their exceptional accomplishments with the 2016 Horatio Alger National Scholarship in the amount of $22,000 per student:

• Spencer Edmonds, Jefferson County High School, Dandridge, TN
• Anna Skiles, Soddy Daisy High School, Soddy Daisy, TN

“From extreme poverty and broken homes to illness and violence, Horatio Alger Scholars have faced unfathomable hardships,” said Tony Novelly, chairman, Horatio Alger Association. “But the two Scholars from Tennessee have not let difficult circumstances define their future or alter their academic goals. Both have shown immense courage and resilience throughout their young lives. The Association is proud to support these inspiring students and looks forward to witnessing their future success.”

Mr. Haslam and his fellow new Members will be formally inducted into the Association at the 69th Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C., from March 31-April 2, 2016. The annual three-day event honors the achievements of the Members and also recognizes the 2016 Horatio Alger National Scholars, affording both groups the opportunity to meet and interact, exchanging stories of hardships, triumphs and successes. The National Scholarship Program is wholly funded through private donations from Association Members, Life Partners and Friends.

To view the complete list of Horatio Alger Members selected for the Class of 2016, please click here.

To view the complete list of 2016 Horatio Alger National Scholarship recipients, please click here.

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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 $11 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.