Governor's Luncheon Scholarship application opens

Twenty six scholarships valued at $1,000 each will be awarded to qualifying students who apply by Wednesday Oct. 31. Eligible students must be economically disadvantaged college students who are residents of Oklahoma.

Students can attend Langston University, any UNCF member institution or other fully accredited four-year U.S. college or university.

The scholarship is funded from proceeds of UNCF’s inaugural Oklahoma Governor’s Luncheon held in Oklahoma City this past June in which Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin was the host and keynote speaker.

Sponsors included National Sponsor AT&T, American Airlines, BNSF Railway, LaFarge Building Materials, the Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, OG&E Energy Corp, OneOK Inc. and XOut Exclusion! UNCF Governor’s Luncheons are signature events that are held in many states throughout the country.

Since its inception these luncheons have raised more than $5 million benefiting the nation’s historically black colleges and universities (HBCU’s) and reducing financial barriers and increase access to higher education for hundreds of low-income college students.

“The scholarship funds raised from this luncheon are vitally important to low-income students – especially those whose college education continues to be threatened by the current economy,” said Diane Stephenson, UNCF area director.

“We are extremely grateful to governor Fallin, AT&T and to all of the sponsors and table hosts for their investment in the work of UNCF. Our service to the community not only helps deserving students from Oklahoma to attend college – it benefits everyone because a more college-educated workforce is vital to the well being of our national economy.”

"It is my pleasure to support UNCF and Langston University with their important higher education missions. This scholarship program is an important way we can help more Oklahoma families send their children to college,” Gov. Fallin said.