AT&T donates $5,000 to Pellissippi State for student scholarships
OCTOBER 24, 2016 at 10:07 a.m.

Pellissippi State Community College President L. Anthony Wise, left, and Pellissippi State Foundation Executive Director Peggy Wilson, right, accept a check from AT&T, along with, from left, Pellissippi State scholarship recipient Kyle Beanblossom, AT&T regional director of external affairs Alan Hill, and State Rep. Roger Kane.

AT&T has donated $5,000 to Pellissippi State Community College to support non-traditional, underserved students studying in accelerated cohort programs. The donation will fund student scholarships.

"This type of support from private business is important as we work to find ways to advance higher education in East Tennessee," said L. Anthony Wise Jr., president of Pellissippi State. "The scholarship this contribution will fund will allow students to complete degree programs that give them the skills to complete in today's technology-based economy."

This donation is part of AT&T's $65,000 gift to the Tennessee Board of Regents, Pellissippi State's governing body. Each of the state's 13 community colleges will receive $5,000 toward student scholarships that target non-traditional and underserved students.

"To meet the needs of our ever-growing economy, Tennessee's institutions of higher education must ensure new entrants to the workforce are prepared and obtain the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed in a modern workplace," said Sen. Richard Briggs. "Through programs like those offered at Pellissippi State, pathways are created for non-traditional students to gain these skills, benefiting all Tennesseans."

"Tennessee's community colleges serve as crucial pathways to prosperity for students who want to enter the job market as soon as possible," said Rep. Roger Kane. "AT&T's commitment to good corporate citizenship in education will allow our future workforce to reach its full potential reaping benefits for all Tennesseans."

"The relationship between business and education is an important one for job creation in Tennessee," said Rep. Harry Brooks, chairman of the House Education Committee. "Statistics continue to show that the jobs of the future will require some type of secondary education, and helping our students obtain degrees and certificates will lead to more job growth and development for Tennessee."

In January 2010, the Tennessee legislature passed the Complete College Tennessee Act, which seeks to increase the higher education completion rates of students across the state.

"We are delighted to support Tennessee students who are acquiring the skills they need to enter the workforce," said Alan Hill, regional director of External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T Tennessee. "Accelerated certificate and degree programs are a great way to ensure our students are fully prepared to enter the workforce and that they can find good jobs right here in Tennessee when they graduate."

The AT&T scholarships will support students studying programs that are accelerated cohorts, which can allow students to complete their associate degrees at an accelerated rate. Accelerated cohorts especially help students who are attending college while also working full-time.

For more information about AT&T and its Philanthropy & Social Innovation outreach, visit about.att.com. For more information about Pellissippi State, visit www.pstcc.edu or call 865-694-6400.

Published October 24, 2016