For Immediate Release
June 19, 2001

The Port of Oakland Employees' Scholarship Program along with the Port 's chapter of the Asian Employee Association will announce at the Tuesday, June 19th meeting of the Board of Port Commissioners, the award of $49,000 in scholarships to deserving Oakland high school students. The Commission meeting is scheduled at 3:00 p.m. in the Port of Oakland Board Room on the 2nd floor, 530 Water Street, Jack London Square.

The annual scholarship awards are granted by the employees of the Port to students who will be attending either a four-year college, university, community college or vocational school. The scholarships of $2,000 and $1,000 each are given to students based on the following criteria: academic performance, community service, extracurricular activities, and a written personal essay about their goals and life experience. Several of the students plan to major in engineering, architecture, environmental science, or construction management - all important components of the Port's major expansion program.

The Port of Oakland Employees' Scholarship Program began in 1995 and has since awarded 78 scholarships for a total dollar amount of $127,000. The funds are raised through an annual golf tournament, employee contributions made during the Port's annual United Way Giving Campaign and a special Job Fair sponsored by KPa Consulting Engineers.

The Asian Employees' Association program began in 1993 and has awarded 41 scholarships totaling over $33,000. The awards from both programs are funded entirely by individual contributions and fundraising efforts -- no public funds are used.

The purpose of both programs is to grant scholarships to commendable high school students in Oakland as well as to qualified children of current Port of Oakland employees. The programs assist students financially with admission to the post-secondary institutions best suited to meet their individual goals and ambitions. The longer-range goal of these programs is to make a lasting contribution to the betterment of the Oakland community, by helping motivated students attain their potential.

Port employees have long been committed to participating in and supporting community projects, including adopting eight local schools. Port volunteers offer their time mentoring, reading to students and being active participants in a number of school initiatives.

The scholarship program is maintained, and administered exclusively by Port employees. "Port volunteers enjoy the rewards of working with our schools to further educational excellence," said Chuck Foster, Port of Oakland's Executive Director. Foster added, "This is a true representation of the Port of Oakland employees' commitment to promoting the success of young people in our community."

Contact:
Harold Jones
Communications Director
(510) 627-1564
hjones@portoakland.com

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