The University of Georgia hosted the Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars Dinner March 29 at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel to recognize nine students who are fourth-year Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship recipients. This highly successful partnership between UGA and The Coca-Cola Foundation has transformed the lives of 151 first-generation students since 2007.
During the event, President Jere W. Morehead welcomed representatives from Coca-Cola, including Kirk Glaze, director of community partnerships for Coca-Cola North America.
“We love supporting the Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars Program and look forward to continuing the relationship with the University of Georgia. The world is now a different place because these Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars came to college,” Glaze said.
The Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship supports academically outstanding students who are the first in their families to attend college. The $5,000 scholarship is available for four years if the recipient maintains certain academic standards. Each scholarship recipient is provided support services through UGA’s Division of Academic Enhancement that help them adjust to college life and helps ensure their academic, cultural and financial success throughout their undergraduate experience. This includes mentoring programs, academic workshops and tutoring services. Students also have access to unique extracurricular experiences such as team building activities, group retreats and field trips.
Wendy Vong, a health promotion major and fourth-year Coca-Cola First Generation Scholar, shared her appreciation for her scholarship during the event. In her remarks, Vong described how the program allowed her to grow personally, academically and professionally.
“This program not only provided me with financial support, but also with the on-campus resources that every student needs. Through this program, I was able to focus on my academic studies and my personal development,” Vong said.
The Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars Program is just one example of how Coca-Cola has committed to supporting the state of Georgia’s flagship university. The Atlanta-based company is consistently a top employer of UGA graduates and interns, and is home to a UGA Alumni Corporate Chapter. Through these efforts, the world’s leading beverage producer helps UGA impact the trajectory of students’ futures — and those around them.
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