Truist Charitable Fund Partnership with Wake Forest Supports Scholarships and Career Development
Through a $1.6 million commitment to Wake Forest University, Truist Charitable Fund has created pathways to success with education and career development initiatives for high school and college students.
“I am grateful for Truist Charitable Fund’s investment in Wake Forest’s students and in the future of our community,” said Wake Forest University President Susan R. Wente. “When we work together, we multiply our ability to create life-changing opportunities for students, their families, and their communities – and to be catalysts for good.”
The grant centers on the Truist for Humanity Scholarship program and extends to several other initiatives. The program provides need-based scholarships for Wake Forest undergraduate students from the Southeast. Twelve were awarded this academic year. Among the recipients are 11 federal Pell Grant recipients and four first-generation college students, including an engineering major from Charlotte with a passion for motorsports and innovative technologies, a sociology major with creative approaches to eCommerce and marketing from Covington, Georgia, and a politics and philosophy major from Fountain Inn, South Carolina, with plans to attend law school.
The grant also supports two experiential programs for high school students:
- College LAUNCH is a free nine-month college prep program for high school juniors in Winston-Salem, Charlotte and the surrounding communities.
- WF LEAP, offered across Wake Downtown and Reynolda, provides paid summer internships for high school juniors and seniors attending six Title I schools in Forsyth County. Students are paired with faculty mentors and explore their STEM interests with hands-on lab experience and professional development activities.
“We are pleased to partner with Wake Forest on high-impact student and community programs that create opportunities and clear pathways to achievement,” said Jenna Kelly, North Carolina West Regional President for Truist. “The ability to help students at different stages of their education through such a wide variety of program offerings aligns with Truist’s purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities.”
The Truist Charitable Fund grant supports additional initiatives at Wake Forest including:
- Investment Banking Scholarships support first-generation and low to moderate-income students in Wake Forest’s School of Business and College of Arts and Science who plan to pursue a career in investment banking.
- Career Readiness funds assist Wake Forest students needing career development support, including help with travel, business attire and other expenses associated with securing internships and jobs.
- The Truist Future Forward Challenge supports student-focused programming and networking in collaboration with the School of Business and Andrew Sabin Family Center for Environment and Sustainability. In the fall, 500+ attendees attended the Advancing Stewardship conference hosted on campus. Experts shared with students and industry professionals how their organizations are developing systems and practices to minimize waste and maximize resource reuse.
- A new business sustainability course for undergraduates launched this spring through the School of Business focuses on cultivating an innovative mindset and equipping students with critical skills to drive sustainable change.
- The Wake Forest University Center for Private Business helps owners build better business practices.
Truist has a longstanding partnership with Wake Forest Athletics and is a “Presenting Partner of Wake Forest Women’s Athletics” and an Official Banking Partner of Wake Forest Athletics.
About Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University’s motto, Pro Humanitiate, reflects a commitment to academic excellence and to using ideas, knowledge and talents on behalf of humanity. The University’s Winston-Salem, N.C. campus is home to nearly 9,000 students with more studying at Wake Forest locations in Charlotte, N.C., Washington, D.C. and around the world. In addition to the undergraduate College, the University encompasses a Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, as well as Schools of Business, Law, Medicine, Divinity and Professional Studies. Founded in 1834, Wake Forest embraces a University-wide approach to developing leaders of character and integrity. Learn more at www.wfu.edu
About Truist
Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country, and offers a wide range of products and services through our retail and small business banking, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, insurance, wealth management, and specialized lending businesses. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Truist is a top 10 U.S. commercial bank. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.
About Truist Charitable Fund
The Truist Charitable Fund is a donor-advised fund created by Truist and administered by the Winston-Salem Foundation.
Categories: Transformative Giving, Uncategorized
Media Contact
Cheryl Walker
media@wfu.edu
336.758.5237
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