NCR Foundation funds two STEAM scholarships
With a $100,000 pledge to the University of Georgia, NCR Foundation established two Georgia Commitment Scholarships (GCS) aimed at supporting undergraduate students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) or business degrees.
Through the GCS Program, the UGA Foundation will match—dollar for dollar— NCR Foundation’s gift to establish two endowed, need-based scholarships that will have an immediate impact. The scholarships will be awarded to two incoming first-year students starting this fall.
“We are honored to partner with the University of Georgia to establish endowed need-based scholarships to help reduce financial obstacles to college for low-income students,” said Yvonne Whitaker, NCR Foundation Lead. “Providing opportunity where there is potential is a priority for NCR Foundation.”
This gift is aligned with NCR Foundation’s goal to advance technology for STEAM education while also providing students with an opportunity to pursue a college degree that might not otherwise have been possible. In addition to financial support, students will have access to a number of specialized resources on campus through the GCS Program including tutoring, academic coaching, networking opportunities, and career development preparation.
“NCR is a valued corporate partner at the University of Georgia, and we are very grateful to NCR Foundation for investing in need-based aid to support our students,” said Kelly Kerner, UGA vice president for development and alumni relations. “Their generous gift will make a college education a reality for hardworking and deserving students across the state of Georgia, and we couldn’t be prouder to partner with NCR in this way.”
NCR Foundation’s support directly aligns with UGA’s commitment to enhance STEM education and better prepare students to enter the workforce following graduation. The number of UGA undergraduate students in STEM disciplines has risen approximately 20 percent over the past five years, with nearly 40 percent of the student body declaring a major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics in the fall of 2018 alone.
Recipients of the scholarships will be working toward STEAM and business degrees in areas including but not limited to accounting, communication studies, marketing, computer science, mechanical engineering, cognitive science and mathematics. The scholarships are renewable for up to four years if the students maintain certain academic standards.
In addition to scholarship support, NCR’s longstanding partnership with the university extends across campus. NCR was recently recognized as a Top 25 Employer of the Class of 2018 and actively recruits STEAM and business majors throughout the year. The company is represented on several advisory boards at both the undergraduate and graduate level, including Management Information Systems, Master of Science in Business Analytics, and Master of Marketing Research. NCR recently joined the College of Engineering’s Corporate Partners Program and also pledged support to the Student Veterans Resource Center.
NCR Foundation’s scholarship fund will provide future generations of students with the tools to flourish and grow at UGA and beyond. Since the creation of the Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program in 2017, over $59 million has been dedicated to establish 454 new, need-based scholarships.
