Twenty Five Students Named Citi Academy of Finance Scholars

Twenty-five graduates of the National Academy Foundation’s Academy of Finance (AOF) program have been selected as 2008 Citi AOF Scholars. As a Citi Scholar, each student will receive a $20,000 college scholarship awarded over four years. The 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 85 students this year. Citi Foundation launched the Citi AOF Scholars program in September 2000 and to date has disbursed more than $2 million in scholarship funds. The Citi AOF Scholars Program is an integral part of Citi Foundation’s education strategy to increase college attendance rates by reducing critical barriers to higher education. The Citi Scholars were chosen from a competitive pool of more than 230 Academy of Finance applicants nationwide based on their outstanding academic record, leadership abilities and a 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 25 Academy of Finance students selected to make up the 2008 Citi Scholars recipients," said NAF's President, JD Hoye. "The financial support that the Citi Foundation is providing these students goes a long way to help ensure students in our Academy programs move towards college, and in the long-term, towards financial careers." Pamela Flaherty, President and CEO of the Citi Foundation, adds that, "A college degree is becoming more necessary for success in today’s global economy. We are delighted to help these outstanding young scholars pursue their college and career aspirations. National Academy Foundation’s strong career focus and demonstrated college access results makes NAF an important partner in our new education initiative, Building Bridges to College and Career, which is focused on increasing college access and building awareness of career opportunities.” The 2008 Scholars are: Ethelence Aburto who will attend Florida International University Ariel Aspinall who will attend the University of Florida Brett Babir who will attend the University of Florida Antonia Blair who will attend the University of Maryland Andrew Bromberg who will attend Vanderbilt University Stephanie Cheung who will attend the University of Massachusetts Shardonay Davis who will attend the University of Central Florida Ronald Dukes who will attend Villanova University Karen Ertrachter who will attend State University of New York at Buffalo Richard Gaines who will attend Emory University Leo Carelle Garcia who will attend Johnson & Wales Olga Grishko who will attend the University of Maryland Derek Hansen who will attend Babson College Natalie Hechavarria who will attend Florida International University Ronald Landayan who will attend Northeastern University Linda Lim who will attend the University of California- Berkeley Eric Majors who will attend Florida A&M University Andrea Montero who will attend the University of Florida Jing Ouyang who will attend Boston College Rick Oxenhandler who will attend the University of Pennsylvania Kyndall Ramsey who will attend the University of North Texas Whitney Rayfield who will attend the University of North Carolina Jennifer Sever who will attend the University of Notre Dame Kevin Slawinski who will attend the University of Notre Dame Yu Yang who will attend the University of Pennsylvania The National Academy Foundation (NAF) was created as a partnership between business leaders and educators to address the need to prepare students for professional careers. NAF was founded by Sanford I. Weill, Chairman Emeritus of Citigroup Inc. NAF serves over 50,000 students in over 500 Academies in 41 states and the District of Columbia in urban schools through small learning communities. The National Academy Foundation operates four Academies: the Academy of Finance, the Academy of Engineering, the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, and the Academy of Information Technology. Employees of more than 2,500 corporations are involved with local Academies, securing internships, volunteering in classrooms, acting as mentors and serving on local Advisory Boards. The NAF curriculum contains essential content based on industry and educational expertise. NAF's record of success with 90% graduation rates and more than 80% of these graduates going on to college, has garnered the support of corporations and public policy makers, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Citi Foundation is committed to enhancing economic opportunities for underserved individuals and families in the communities where we work throughout the world. Globally, the Citi Foundation is focusing its giving on Microfinance and Microentrepreneurship, which helps individuals become economically self-sufficient; Small and Growing Businesses leading to economic expansion and job creation; Education, which prepares young people for personal and professional success; Financial Education, which helps individuals make informed financial decisions; and the Environment with a focus on sustainable enterprises that generate jobs and stimulate economic growth while preserving the environment. In the U.S. and Canada, the Citi Foundation supports Community Development programs that help build and revitalize neighborhoods and Education programs that prepare students for college and careers. Additional information can be found at http://www.citigroupfoundation.org/