FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C)
May 24, 2007
Twenty Students Named Citi Academy of Finance Scholars
New York, NY – Twenty graduates of the National Academy Foundation’s Academy of Finance (AOF) program have been selected as 2007 Citi AOF Scholars. As a Citi Scholar, each student will receive a $20,000 college scholarship awarded over four years, paid summer internships with Citi businesses, and a Citi mentor to advise him or her on academic and career issues. This Citi AOF Scholars program is made possible through a grant from the Citi Foundation to the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and College Board which is providing scholarships for a total of 78 students this year. Citi Foundation launched the Citi AOF Scholars program in September 2000 and to date has disbursed scholarship funds totaling $1,790,000.
Citi Scholars were chosen from a competitive pool of more than 270 Academy of Finance applicants nationwide based on their outstanding academic records, leadership abilities and their desire to pursue a career in the financial services industry. The Scholarship and Recognition Programs (SRP), a program unit of the Educational Testing Service and College Board, administers all phases of the Citi/AOF Scholars program, including the selection of scholars. SRP appointed an independent committee composed of college admissions officers, financial aid administrators and educators to choose the scholars based on their academic excellence, active involvement in the AOF program and contributions to their school and their community.
“NAF is incredibly proud of the 20 Academy of Finance students selected to make up the 2007 Citi Scholars recipients,” said NAF’s President, JD Hoye. “Through collegiate scholarships and professional mentorships and internships, the Citi Scholars program is symbolic of the connections that our students make in their Academy programs. The young men and women selected to become Citi Scholars are, in turn, able to foster those same connections to students who come after them.“
Pamela Flaherty, President and CEO at the Citi Foundation, said, “Citi’s strong commitment to help make a difference in the lives of young people is reflected in the Citi Academy of Finance Scholars program that not only provides financial assistance for college, but offers students opportunities to gain the skills they will need to succeed in today’s workforce. We look forward to helping these 20 Citi AOF Scholars prepare for challenging careers in the financial services industry.”
The 2007 scholars are: Kelsi Adams of Salt Lake City Utah, will attend Southern Utah University; Olanivi Awosika of Hyattsville, Maryland, will attend the University of Maryland; Oscar Castro of Seattle, Washington, will attend the University of Washington; Sherrie Fortson of Chicago, Illinois, will attend Michigan State University; Nancy Lam of Brooklyn, New York, will attend New York University; Nikki Lawrence of Gaithersburg, Maryland, will attend Drexel University; Quan Le of Long Beach, California, will attend the University of Santa Barbara; Chih Li of Staten Island, New York, will attend SUNY-Binghampton; Emily Ramirez of Miami, Florida will attend the University of Central Florida; Rebeca Rodriguez-Crespo of Orlando, Florida will attend the University of Florida; Candice Scott of Rochester, New York, will attend the Rochester Institute of Technology; Bogdan Semida of Stamford, Connecticut will attend Boston University; Alison Setzer of Owings, Maryland, will attend Saint Mary’s College of Maryland; KeLita Sherrod of Detroit, Michigan, will attend Bowling Green University; Alexandra Taveras of Brooklyn, New York, will attend Northeastern University; Raquhel Taylor of Orlando, Florida, will attend Florida State University; Daniel Veingrad of Doral, Florida, will attend the University of Miami; Andrew Winner of West Palm Beach, Florida, will attend the University of Florida; Alicia Wnorowski of Fair Lawn, New Jersey, will attend the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.
The National Academy Foundation has been at the forefront of high school reform for more than 20 years. In fact, NAF pioneered the approach of “schools within schools” as a model for educational reform and the current small school movement has its roots in the growth and success of NAF. NAF academies foster students’ motivation to learn and better prepare them for postsecondary education and successful futures in their chosen professions. NAF Academies close the achievement gap in America’s schools by closing the opportunity gap, inviting all students into a culture of success. NAF was founded with underwriting from American Express which continues, and with significant sustaining support from Citi.
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Citi
Citi, the leading global financial services company, has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Major brand names under Citi's trademark red arc include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Citi Smith Barney and Banamex. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.