Cameron University has received a $100,000 grant from Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (CCSWB) that is aimed at supporting southwest Oklahomans who are the first from their families to attend college. The grant, awarded with no restrictions beyond supporting first-generation students, aligns perfectly with Cameron University’s mission.
“Thank you to CCSWB for this extraordinary investment that will benefit first-generation Cameron University students forever,” says President Shane Hunt. “As a first-generation college graduate myself, I know the transformational impact this gift will have on our students and their future success.”
The gift will allow Cameron to offer an unprecedented number of scholarships over the next few years. In addition, a portion of the grant will be used to establish the Coca-Cola First-Generation Endowed Scholarship which will be awarded in perpetuity.
The university serves a significantly higher percentage of first-generation students than the national average, and the funding will go directly toward helping these students overcome financial barriers to higher education.
CCSWB is dedicated to giving back to the communities where it operates. Education is one of the pillars of the company’s community involvement. CCSWB uses its resources to donate laptops, invest in technology labs and award scholarships to aid students on their educational journeys.
“Naturally, the decision to invest in students at Cameron University is an easy one to make,” said Morris Smith, Vice President of Public Affairs Communications and Sustainability for CCSWB. “Supporting students who continue their secondary education is one of the many ways we give back to our local communities. We believe education is the key to unlocking endless possibilities for students in our region.”
CCSWB recognizes many students at Cameron University are the first in their families to attend college. The purpose of this scholarship is to help these students on their educational journeys as they pursue their passions and aspirations. CCSWB has been running its first-generation scholarship program since 2023.
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