FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2016

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

Horatio Alger Association Honors Sioux Falls Entrepreneur Denny Sanford and One National Scholarship Recipient from South Dakota

 Denny Sanford and the South Dakota Scholar, Genevieve Clark, 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 South Dakota resident T. Denny Sanford, chairman of the board, United National Corporation, as a lifetime Member at the annual Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in spring 2016. Concurrently, one outstanding South Dakota high school student 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. Sanford, are annually inducted into the Association as lifetime Members.

“Each year, the Association works to identify new Members who will work tirelessly to support our important mission of helping outstanding students in need,” said Byron Trott, president and CEO, Horatio Alger Association. “When selecting this new class, we had to look no further than Mr. Sanford. An incredible entrepreneur and one of the nation’s most charitable individuals, my fellow Members and I are honored to welcome him into the Association. We are confident that he will become an important role model for our Scholars – past, present and future.”

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 student from South Dakota has been recognized for her exceptional accomplishments with the 2016 Horatio Alger National Scholarship in the amount of $22,000:

• Genevieve Clark, Gayville-Volin High School, Yankton, SD

“Horatio Alger, Jr. shared stories of individuals who, with hard work and perseverance, overcame adversity to achieve their dreams – regardless of the circumstances,” said Tony Novelly, chairman, Horatio Alger Association. “This year’s National Scholars, including the recipient from South Dakota, demonstrate remarkable academic drive while generously giving back to their communities, despite the difficult challenges they have experienced. The Association is proud to provide such deserving students with the financial assistance needed to pursue their dreams.”

Mr. Sanford 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.