FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2018

CONTACT:
McKenna Young
484-385-2913 (office)
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Horatio Alger Association Raises More Than $15 Million in Support of Scholarship Programs at the 71^st Annual Horatio Alger Awards 
Three-day event in Washington, D.C. honored New Members and National Scholars while celebrating the power of the American Dream

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 9, 2018) – Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, hosted its 71^st Annual Horatio Alger Awards in Washington, D.C. this past weekend, April 5-7, 2018. This annual event raised a record sum of more than $15 million, which will fund the organization’s growing college scholarship programs.

As part of the annual three-day celebration, the Association inducted its New Member Class of 2018, comprised of 12 accomplished corporate, civic and cultural leaders from across the United States and Canada, all of whom have demonstrated honesty, determination and a strong work ethic in their pursuit of personal and professional success. Events during the weekend included formal induction ceremonies at the United States Supreme Court, the State Department and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Constitution Hall.

The New Member Class of 2018 represents the organization’s core values – perseverance, integrity and a commitment to excellence – and was honored with lifetime membership into the Association:

• Gregory E. Abel, chairman, president and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway Energy
• Ronald M. Bergeron Sr., founder and CEO, Bergeron Land Development, Inc., Bergeron Family of Companies and Bergeron Properties & Investment Corp.
• Don R. Daseke, founder, chairman, president and CEO, Daseke, Inc.
• Alphonso R. Jackson, CEO, A.R. Jackson Advisors LLC and 13^thS. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
• David Johnston, chair, Rideau Hall Foundation and 28^th Governor General of Canada
• Larry Lawson, founder and CEO, HeartcoR Solutions
• Jimmy John Liautaud, owner, founder and chairman, Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches
• Rob Lowe, film and television actor, producer, writer, director and New York Times best-selling author
• Reba McEntire, multi-media entertainer and entrepreneur
• James H. Pugh, Jr., CEO, owner and chairman, Epoch Residential
• Ernest S. Rady, founder, executive chairman of the board, president and CEO, American Assets Trust, Inc. and founder and executive chairman, ICW Group Insurance Companies
• Lee Scott, Jr., former president, CEO and chairman of the executive committee, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

The 113 recipients of the Horatio Alger National Scholarship, valued at $25,000, were also honored at the Awards festivities. The high school seniors were selected from thousands of applicants across the United States and Canada and are acknowledged for their unwavering commitment to continuing their education and serving their communities despite facing incredible hardships. These young men and women were recognized at the New Member induction events and provided the opportunity to connect with Horatio Alger Members, many of whom will serve as mentors as the Scholars enter college.

“The Horatio Alger Awards remind us all of how effervescent the pursuit of the American Dream remains among this collective group of Members and Scholars,” said Matthew Rose, president, Horatio Alger Association, and 2013 Horatio Alger Member. “It is a time to celebrate their successes while recognizing their determination and strength. I am proud to be part of an organization that acknowledges and uplifts such exceptional individuals – and to do so while continuing to raise millions in support of our scholarship programs is especially rewarding.”

Members – like Scholars – have also faced adversities, overcoming significant life challenges to achieve their success. As part of the Association’s programming, Members actively support and encourage Scholars in an effort to build the next generation of American leaders. Members and friends of the Association fully fund its scholarship programs and importantly, 94 percent of the organization’s operating budget is spent on programs for Members and Scholars. Since the establishment of its scholarship program in 1984, Horatio Alger Association has afforded more than 25,000 students the opportunity to pursue a college education. In 2017 alone, the Association awarded more than $18 million in need-based scholarships to more than 25,000 deserving, at-risk youth.

To view the complete list of 2018 Horatio Alger National Scholarship recipients, please click here.

For more information about Horatio Alger Association, please visit www.horatioalger.org. To engage on social media, follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #HoratioAlgerAwards.

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About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, in 2017, the Association awarded more than $18 million in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships across the United States and Canada, and also provided college support and mentoring services to its Scholars. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $143 million in college scholarships to more than 25,000 deserving young people. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.