DETROIT - The 2011 UNCF Walk for Education on Aug. 27 in Detroit is an opportunity for Ford Motor Company and the community to help students get the college education they need – and our nation needs them to have – in order to compete in a global economy.

"UNCF supports many programs that provide Ford and other Fortune 500 companies with the pool of qualified candidates that we need to support the demands of a global environment," said Frederiek Toney, vice president, Ford Motor Company, president, Global Customer Service Division and UNCF Walk for Education co-sponsor. 

Andre Hill, a Ford College Graduate program participant in Human Resources supporting 2011 National Contract Negotiations shared how UNCF helped him achieve educational goals with UNCF executive sponsors at their kickoff meeting.

"Not only did I attend a UNCF college for my graduate degree, but UNCF gave me two scholarships to support my financial needs while attending Clark-Atlanta University,” he said.  

“Without their support, I would not have been able to achieve my dream of a graduate degree,” added Hill.

Terri Faison, HR manager, Central Office, Canada & Personnel Relations, FMCC received a UNCF Title III Work Scholarship based upon academic achievement after her first semester at Clark Atlanta University’s MBA program. The program provided her with a professional work experience at HJ Russell in Atlanta, Georgia, where she had the opportunity to launch the HR Operations Guide for the Concessions International business at Hartsfield International Airport.

“I gained an experience from a UNCF funded work program that I never expected and that I will never forget,” said Faison.

Registration for the Walk begins at 8 a.m. at the Belle Isle Casino.  There will be fun-filled activities for the entire family.  To register for the walk or to donate or support a walker, visit the UNCF website at:  http://give.uncf.org/site/TR?company_id=6794&fr_id=1601&pg=company

UNCF awards more than 10,000 scholarships through more than 400 scholarship, internship, fellowship and institutional grants that support students at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. Those programs include the following:

The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program supports students from undergraduate through to doctoral studies to increase the representation of these target groups in disciplines where they are severely under-represented such as computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and the sciences.  Since its inception, GMS has funded over 14,000 students from all 50 states who are enrolled in over 1,500 colleges and universities.  Over 7,000 scholarships have been granted since the program began

UNCF/Merck Science Initiative, which offers students bioscience and biotechnology research fellowships, cultivating their potential with financial support, hands-on training, close mentoring relationships and institutional support.

Corporate Scholars Program supports hundreds of students with scholarships and internships at major Fortune 500 corporations.

UNCF scholarships are open to everyone for both UNCF and traditional colleges.  For additional information on UNCF, available scholarships and the Detroit Walk, visit the UNCF Website.