2006 SDSU Month Scholarship Challenge Sets Record

Contact: Lorena Nava, Media Relations Specialist
San Diego State University
Tel: (619) 594-3952 office; (619) 309-5179 cell
lnava@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO – (Thursday, May 25, 2006)– Local businesses contributed a record $38,646 towards scholarships during SDSU Month in March, San Diego State University announced today.

"We are extremely grateful to our partners, who exceeded all expectations and raised a record amount for student scholarships this year," said Jack Beresford, SDSU’s assistant vice president for Marketing & Communications. "The funds raised will help support some of SDSU’s most deserving students."

The biggest contribution to this year’s Scholarship Challenge came from Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill®, which donated $20,646 via their promotional Aztec Meal Deal. As part of the promotion, which was sold throughout San Diego County from March 7 to April 17, Rubio’s donated $1 for each Aztec Meal sold.

"As an SDSU alum, I’m proud that Rubio’s is able to support the SDSU Month Scholarship Challenge," said Ralph Rubio, co-founder and CEO of Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill. "San Diego State plays such an important role in this community, and we are delighted to partner with them during SDSU Month and throughout the year."

Additionally, Cox Business Services donated $10,000 and U.S. Bank donated $5,000 to Scholarship Challenge. Other partners included CBORD, Mirapoint, PAETEC, SDC and Time Warner Cable.

Since 2004, local businesses have raised $93,202 for the SDSU Month Scholarship Challenge. Several $2,500 scholarships are awarded to eligible students each fall.

SDSU undergrads interested in applying for SDSU Month scholarships can submit applications between August 14, 2006 and October 16, 2006 for the 2006-07 academic year through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. The scholarships are awarded to full-time students with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. For more information or to apply, please visit http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/scholarship.

SDSU Month sponsors and media partners include Allison & Partners, Associated Students, Aztec Shops, Cox Communications, The Daily Aztec, Geary Interactive, KPBS, NBC 7/39, Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill, San Diego Magazine, The San Diego Union-Tribune, the SDSU Alumni Association, the SDSU President’s Leadership Fund, the SDSU Research Foundation, STA Travel, Time Warner Cable, Univision San Diego and Univision Radio.

The annual SDSU Month celebration honors SDSU’s "Minds that Move the World." SDSU Month, which occurs in March to commemorate the school’s founding in 1897, features dozens of arts, academic and athletic events open to the community. For more information, please visit www.sdsumonth.com.

SDSU is the oldest and largest institution of higher education in the San Diego region. Founded in 1897, SDSU offers bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 72 and doctorates in 16. SDSU’s nearly 33,000 students participate in academic curricula distinguished by direct faculty contact and an increasingly international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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