NEW YORK, March 5, 2004 — Microsoft Corporation has made a grant of US$5 million in software to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) in honor of the organization’s retiring president and CEO, William H. Gray, III. The grant was announced Thursday night during the Funds 60th annual awards dinner at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers.
The software will be distributed in 2005 and will support UNCFs efforts to strengthen technology access and infrastructure at member colleges and universities. Microsoft has contributed nearly $100 million in cash and software to UNCF initiatives over the past five years.
“During his 13 years at the UNCF, Bill Gray has provided remarkable leadership and vision. His work has created life-changing educational opportunities for thousands of talented minority students,”
said Bill Gates, Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect.
“As a partner and friend, I will miss working with Bill, but we look forward to continuing our work with the UNCF to help young people realize their potential.”
About the United Negro College Fund
Founded in 1944, the United Negro College Fund is the nations oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization. Its mission is to enhance the quality of education by providing financial assistance to deserving students, raising operating funds for UNCFs 39 member colleges and universities, and strengthening the capacity of minority serving institutions through technical assistance. UNCF administers more than 450 scholarships and fellowships to students and faculty who attend UNCF member colleges and universities, other historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and majority institutions throughout the country. In its 59-year history, UNCF has raised more than $2 billion to promote higher education achievement and has helped more than 300,000 students earn undergraduate and graduate degrees. UNCF currently supports more than 65,000 students at over 950 colleges and universities. For more information about UNCF, visit www.uncf.org .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
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