The Chrysler Foundation Awards $50,000 To Support Latino Students
PRESS RELEASE
SAN ANTONIO, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The Ram Truck brand and The Chrysler Foundation today awarded a $50,000 grant to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), the nation’s largest provider of college financial aid for Latino students. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Chrysler Scholarship Program is designed to support outstanding Latino undergraduate or graduate students interested in a career in the automotive industry.
The grant was announced by Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico, Chrysler Group LLC, during the International Hispanic Network’s gala and awards ceremony in San Antonio.
“I believe what has anchored me through the ups and downs at Chrysler are my roots,” Diaz told the audience. “Despite being somewhat underprivileged in my younger years, I have very fond memories of growing up in a warm, close-knit, densely populated Hispanic community where everyone looked out for each other, respected one another and where humility was and continues to be a cherished value.
“Needless to say, my heart belongs to San Antonio and we plan to come back home some day and spend the rest of our lives here.”
Diaz reminisced about growing up in San Antonio during his address, and how his mother influenced his passion and dedication towards making his hometown a better place. As a result, Diaz directs his yearly donations to the United Way of San Antonio in support of education, and women and children’s shelters.
“As a Latino, I am doubly proud that my company has a strong commitment to diversity and multiculturalism,” Diaz said.
In December 2011, Diaz announced a similar $50,000 grant to HSF during the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual Fiesta Hispana Gala in Dearborn, Mich. The newly announced Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Chrysler Scholarship Program continues a longstanding relationship between The Chrysler Foundation and HSF, which began in 1986. Since that time, HSF has received 26 grants from the Foundation totaling more than $800,000; with the last $100,000 being announced in the past six months.
“Inclusion and diversity are core Chrysler Group values,” said Jody Trapasso, Senior Vice President – External Affairs, Chrysler Group LLC and President of The Chrysler Foundation. “The Chrysler Group is proud to partner with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund to help expand educational opportunities.”
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
Be of Hispanic heritage
Be pursuing their first undergraduate or graduate degreeBe a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with a permanent resident card or passport I-551 (not expired)
Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Be a current sophomore, junior or senior at a four-year accredited institution in the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands or Guam during the 2011-12 academic year
Be majoring in: mechanical, electrical or industrial engineering at an accredited ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) program; computer science, computer engineering, business or management with a concentration in computer science or management information systems; business or economics from an accredited school with one or more of the following disciplines preferred: supply chain management, finance, international business, accounting, general business or entrepreneurship.
About Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund is the nation’s leading organization working to address the barriers that keep many Latinos from earning a college degree. HSF envisions a future where every Latino household will have at least one college graduate, creating an enduring impact on the college outlook of Latino families nationwide, and strengthening the American economy for generations to come. For more information about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund please visit: www.HSF.net .
About Chrysler Group’s Leadership Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Recognized as a leader in promoting diversity throughout its enterprise, the Chrysler Group was named one of the “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” by Working Mother magazine 12 times, and has been recognized six times by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as one of the country’s leading corporations supporting diversity and inclusion.
The Chrysler Group has been included in DiversityInc magazines Top 50 or 25 Most Noteworthy companies for diversity lists six times since the benchmarks were establish in 2001. In addition, the Chrysler Group has been named to HispanicBusiness magazine’s annual Diversity Elite 60 list for implementing strategies to reach more Hispanic customers and to pursue more business with minority- and Hispanic-owned suppliers.
Over the years, a long line of Chrysler Group employees have received important professional recognition from various diversity organizations, including Black Engineer of the Year, Women of Color, HENAAC Great Minds in STEM and others, reflecting the Company’s strong commitment to developing its diverse work force.
SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC
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[Photo By Daniel Morris]