Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 3, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke honors 155 Promise Scholarship recipients at Pacific Lutheran University

TACOMA - Gov. Gary Locke today honored 155 young recipients of state Promise Scholarships at a reception at Pacific Lutheran University.

The governor spoke at the gathering of scholars chosen by academic performance and financial need.

"I proposed the Promise Scholarships because I believe that students showing promise deserve a promise from the state," Locke said.

"And I believe that if a student has a strong academic record - and comes from a low- or middle-income family - that student deserves to pursue the American Dream of a college education and receive a two-year scholarship from the state to make that dream a reality," he added.

Referring to the scholarships, PLU President Loren J. Anderson said, "We're pleased and honored that many of the state's top scholars chose to attend Pacific Lutheran University. Every student should have the opportunity to go to college and the Promise Scholarship plays a vital role in making that happen. Furthermore, this scholarship support for students who attend our independent colleges and universities is a benefit for all citizens of Washington state."

The governor noted nearly 5,700 Washington students have received Promise Scholarships since the program was established in 1999.

"It is my dream that someday - and someday soon - no high-achieving student will be blocked from pursuing a higher education because of financial burden," Locke said.

This year, students are eligible to receive up to $1,542 from the Promise Scholarship program. That is worth more than 90 percent of resident tuition for one year at a state community college.

Approximately 2,150 students from the class of 1999 will receive their second and final award this year at Washington colleges. Approximately 3,450 graduates from the class of 2000 are eligible to receive them.

» Return to this month's News Releases

» View News Release Archive