Submitted by: Jennifer Steele

(PHOENIX, Ariz., March 4, 2004) - Since 2001, many students with families who are 25-years-old or older, or individuals with physical disabilities, or young adults, ages 18-25 who spent time in the foster care system, have attended Phoenix College thanks to the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. This trust was established by the late publisher, philanthropist, and wife of Eugene C. Pulliam, Ms. Nina Mason Pulliam.

Nina Mason Pulliam was the founding secretary-treasurer and a director of Central Newspapers, Inc. She served as president of CNI until 1979 and publisher of The Arizona Republic and The Phoenix Gazette until 1978.

Additionally, she was a compassionate business and civic leader, devoting many hours to civic, charitable and community work. During her career she shared her financial success and business leadership skills with many charities throughout Arizona and in Indiana.

The Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program is a partnership joining the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and four institutions of higher education in two states: Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD); Arizona State University (ASU); Ivy Tech State College-Indianapolis (Ivy Tech); and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). The Program serves nontraditional students whose personal commitments and financial circumstances would preclude a college education without substantial, long-term scholarship support.

Benefits include full tuition and fees, books and supplies, an annual living stipend of $2,500 and extensive support services provided by program staff and an advisory council.

Students in good standing can receive the scholarship for up to four years at any of the MCCCD campuses and for up to six years at ASU. The program awards 15 scholarships each year and is currently recruiting applicants up until the April 1, 2004 deadline. Applications can be obtained in the PC Office of Alumni & Development/Scholarship Relations (OSE 106), the PC Counseling Center, and the PC Learning Center.

"The program is designed to do much more to help its scholarship recipients than simply provide money," said Jennifer Steele, program director of the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars Program. "It provides a variety of services designed to assist the student in navigating on campus as well as in the larger community. The program support often acts as a ‘trampoline’ in that as long as the student expends enough energy, they will be propelled upward. Should they fall, the support makes it easier to get back on their feet."

Phoenix College is proud to announce the names of its current Nina Mason Pulliam Scholars (in alphabetical order): Al MaCaw Dewakuku, Edna Guerrero, Aleshia Michels, LaTrechia Morrison, November Peasley, Rebecca Plumer, Aaliyah Sabree, and Oswaldo Valles.

These scholars are required to make contact with Steele once a week, either by phone or email, to apprise her of their academic needs, concerns and achievements. Once a month meetings and/or workshops are also provided. Often guest speakers address areas of interest to the students. At the conclusion of the students’ first year, a planning retreat is held designed to assist each individual student in assessing his/her first year and planning for the next.

For further information about the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program, you may contact Ms. Steele via email at: jennifer.steele@domail.maricopa.edu, or by phone at (480) 731-8619.

Two information workshops for interested applicants will be held in the Phoenix College Learning Center, one on Thursday, March 11, 2004 starting at 10:00 am, and another on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 10:00 am.

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