Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Awards $5 Million in Scholarships to 2011-2012 Academic Class

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 13th, at its 2011 Scholarship Announcement Ceremony and Reception, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation will recognize more than 1,600 scholarship recipients and their Marine families – who are being awarded nearly $5 million for their higher education from the Foundation for this academic year.

The ceremony, which will be hosted by Gen. Robert Magnus USMC (Ret), Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Foundation and Margaret B. Davis, President and CEO of the Foundation, and feature a keynote speech by Gen. James F. Amos, 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps, comes as the Foundation prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary year. During that time, the organization has provided over 26,500 scholarships valued at more than $65 million.

23 student recipients will attend the ceremony. This year's scholarship recipients represent all 50 states, and include children of Marines killed in action or wounded in combat. The Foundation provides needs-based scholarships to children whose parent has served in the Corps.

"We celebrate the achievements of our remarkable 2011-2012 class of students at this event," said Davis. "As we reach our 50th year, we reflect on the life-changing opportunities that we've made possible for families of those who spend their lives protecting ours, and we look towards a future of continuing to honor Marines by educating their children."

Over the past year, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation has raised nearly $15 million in scholarship contributions. At the Reception, two major announcements will be highlighted. The first is from Marine philanthropist Chuck Scianna, who is making a $2.5 million commitment to the Foundation. "When you invest in the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, you are not just giving money, you are investing in a young person's dream," noted Scianna. His donation is the largest amount received from an individual donor.

The second major commitment that will be highlighted is the Sergeant Dakota Meyer Scholarship Initiative, named after upcoming Medal of Honor recipient, Sgt. Dakota Meyer USMC. Sgt. Meyer will be in attendance to announce his commitment to raise $1 million by the Foundation's 50th anniversary on May 28, 2012. He will also "Challenge America" to match his efforts by raising an additional $1 million.  

"The Corps teaches us to keep faith with our fellow Marines and their families. This initiative does just that by helping to provide an education to children of Marines and to assist each of them in achieving their goals," said Meyer, who will receive his medal on September 15, 2011, two days after the scholarship event. "Education paves the path to our future and I'm honored to lead this initiative working with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. I hope, and challenge, all Americans to join me in this mission and support our Marine families."

Additional presenters at the event include a representative from the U.S. Department of Education and Sgt. Maj. Micheal Barrett, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. In addition, distinguished representatives from generous Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation donors such as Lockheed Martin, Toyota and BAE Systems are expected to attend the event to celebrate the scholars.

ABOUT THE MARINE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION:  The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is the nation's oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to U.S. military families. Since 1962, the Foundation has provided more than 26,500 scholarships valued at over $65,000,000 to Marine Corps sons and daughters whose parents have been killed or wounded in combat or have demonstrated financial need. For the 2011-2012 academic year, the Foundation will provide more than 1,600 scholarships totaling nearly $5,000,000.  The Foundation is proud to have been named by Independent Charities of America as 'Best in America' for demonstrating "the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness." For more information on the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation please visit www.mcsf.org.

SOURCE Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation