Scholarship Program Helps Minority College Students Realize Dreams
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., -Alyssa Whitwell's scholarship enabled her to continue studying math and economics at UCLA, despite a huge spike in tuition and fees. Ranieka Meadors' scholarship helped her to return toCalifornia State University after dropping out for a year because of financial hardship. And Daniel Dela Rosa, the son of Mexican immigrants, has used his scholarship to continue studying accounting at the University of Houston. They are three of the 12 college students of color from across the country who last year won scholarships fromMassachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual) Now, with the economy making it harder than ever for many Americans to realize the dream of a college education, MassMutual is expanding the scholarship program to more states, increasing the number of scholarships, and offering internships in the financial services field to winners. MassMutual is making $135,000 in scholarships available in nine metropolitan areas as part of the program, which is open to students of African-American/Black, Asian/Pacific Islander or Hispanic descent. Applicants for the 27 $5,000 scholarships must meet certain academic criteria, such as having concentrations in the fields of business, economics, finance, financial planning, management, marketing and sales. "When students tell us that our scholarship program could mean the difference between achieving finishing college and dropping out, we are heartened to know that our efforts are paying off, for them and their families and, ultimately, for our industry and our country. Especially during these tough economic times, we're immensely proud to be able to expand the program, so more students can benefit from it," said John Chandler, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, MassMutual. Many of the students who have been awarded these scholarships count their impact in more than just dollars and cents. For example, Karen Perez, the daughter of Mexican immigrants and the first member of her family to graduate from high school and attend college, credits being selected for the scholarship with giving her a greater sense of confidence in her mathematics classes at California State University, where she is often one of only four or five young women. She takes very seriously the example she is setting for her two younger siblings. Loren Hinkson says her scholarship enabled her to live on campus at the University of Southern California and hold leadership positions on three student executive boards instead of undertaking a grueling daily commute that would have precluded her participation in on-campus activities. The program is just one of MassMutual's many multicultural efforts, including attracting talented professionals to the field of financial services and supporting people of diverse backgrounds, both as agents and as clients. The scholarship program's internship opportunities will expose recipients to the world of financial services, while helping to enhance diversity in financial services and to support increasingly diverse communities. "Our scholarship program is a very important part and symbol of our commitment to diversity and education, and because of it and our other efforts, we're already making a big difference in the lives of the communities we serve," said Nick Fyntrilakis, assistant vice president of Community Responsibility for MassMutual. "As an industry, we need to attract outstanding multicultural candidates to our field and to make our companies representative of the communities we work in, and our scholarship support can help make that happen." The scholarship program's application deadline is May 30, and winners will be notified in late summer. To be eligible, applicants must: For more information on how to apply or to obtain an application, visit www.hsf.net/massmutual.aspx. About MassMutual Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, andannuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term. MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, Inc., memberFINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB. SOURCE MassMutual
