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Foundation, Denny’s are partners in the Hungry for Education Scholarship Program, awarding outstanding students with $25,000 in scholarships
DALLAS (Feb. 5, 2016) – The Tom Joyner Foundation and Denny’s Corporation (NASDAQ: DENN), franchisor and operator of one of America’s largest full-service restaurant chains, today announced the 20 winners of the 2016 Hungry for Education Scholarship Program, an initiative to promote education and help bring awareness to hunger issues throughout the nation.
Since 2013, the two organizations have partnered on the program, helping to support students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). As part of the program, 20 deserving students from designated HBCU’s each received a $1,250 scholarship from Denny’s and the Tom Joyner Foundation. Students from HBCUs around the country, who had to hold a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 to 4.0, submitted 250 to 500 word essays describing their most memorable community service or activity to combat hunger. The winners’ schools, their classification and majors are:
Krystal Pernell, sophomore, business administration/accounting major, at Alcorn State University
Halle Stanley, junior, public relations major, at Howard University from Baltimore, Md.
Tierra Allen, senior, social work major, at North Carolina Central University from Yanceyville, N.C.
Jessica Ray, sophomore, biology major, at Xavier University of Louisiana
Tamara Bates, senior, biology major at Philander Smith College from Memphis, Tenn.
Ciara Chapman-Daniels, freshman, health and human performance major, at Albany State University
Christopher Peay, senior, mass communications major, at North Carolina Central University from Charlotte, N.C.
Derrick Hobbs, senior, business administration: Hospitality and Tourism major, at Wiley College
Dominique Wallace, freshman, nursing major, at Prairie View A&M University from Fort Worth, Texas
Sandra Okafor, junior, biology major, at Bowie State University
Jabari La Chaux, sophomore, political science major, at Paul Quinn College from Oakland, Calif.
Ebony Marable, freshman, systems & organization management major, specialty in Human Resources management, at Hampton University
Shaquille Bullock, sophomore, psychology major, at Delaware State University
Lawrence Malloy, junior, mass communications major, at Fort Valley State University
Robert McGowan, junior, animal science major, at Tuskegee University, from Torrance, Calif.
Kaysha Jones, junior, dietetics major, at Texas Southern University, from Houston, Texas
“These students’ really demonstrated their commitment to helping out their communities,” said Thomas Joyner, Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Foundation. “Their hard work is a sign that they understand the importance of doing well in the classroom – and contributing to your community.”
April Kelly-Drummond, Denny’s director of diversity affairs and Multicultural Engagement, said, “Denny’s remains committed to helping students succeed, and we’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the Tom Joyner Foundation to reward and recognize such outstanding achievements and dedication to education.”
Each scholarship recipient shared their stories about how they have tried to make a difference. For example, Halle Stanley of Howard delivered gift baskets of food, clothes, toys and books to homeless men, women and children in Baltimore and Derrick Hobbs of Wiley College organized a campus food drive that collected more than 1,400 canned goods for the local food pantry.
About the Tom Joyner Foundation:
The Tom Joyner Foundation (https://tomjoynerfoundation.com) was founded in 1998 as the brainchild of nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner. The mission of the Foundation is to support historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with scholarships, endowments and capacity-building enhancements. The Foundation has provided necessary support to every HBCU in its 16-year history to help sustain and preserve the legacies of these valuable institutions. Through fundraising and donor development initiatives, $65 million has been raised to support more than 29,000 students attending HBCUs.
Additionally, the Foundation has recommended internships, offered matching grant support, and career development to deserving students. You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Denny’s Corp.
Denny’s is one of America’s largest full-service family restaurant chains, currently operating 1,700 franchised, licensed and company-owned restaurants across the United States, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guam, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico and New Zealand. For further information on Denny’s, including news releases, please visit the Denny’s website at www.dennys.com or the brand’s social channels via Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram or YouTube.