Fairmont Coca-Cola Scholarship Established

A new scholarship at Fairmont State will benefit students with financial need.

Through the generosity of the Central Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Inc., the Fairmont Coca-Cola Scholarship, endowed through the Fairmont State Foundation Inc., will be awarded each year to a student who demonstrates financial need.

“We just want to help Fairmont State students and be a part of this community,” said Walter Cox, Northern Region Manager for Central Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Inc. “It is important to us that this scholarship award not be based on grade point average but on financial need.”

Since its inception in the early 1900s, The Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Association has invested in Coca-Cola stock from the proceeds of services sold to independent Coca-Cola Bottlers. Through the years, investments resulted in stock assets in excess of millions of dollars. In 1999, the decision was made to return some of these assets to the communities who have supported the Bottlers. To that end, the Association created the Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Foundation with the goal of increasing the standing and visibility of Coca-Cola Bottlers in their hometown territories. In 2003, the Foundation opened its doors for business. To date, more than $2.5 million has been donated to charities by The Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Foundation.

“Eighty percent of Fairmont State students receive financial aid. Education is the key to economic development, and we are so proud of Coca-Cola’s commitment to helping students in need. Coca-Cola is a wonderful example to other corporations on how to invest in our future,” said Patty Pitrolo, Director of Major Gifts for the Fairmont State Foundation Inc.

The Fairmont State Foundation Inc. helps to secure resources for scholarships, faculty development, cultural programming and other needs. The Fairmont State Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization formed to assist Fairmont State by accepting and encouraging gifts and by using them to advance the missions of Fairmont State University and Fairmont State Community & Technical College. The Foundation is operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes.

For more information on gift planning, call (304) 367-4014.  Click here to make an online gift.