Date: October 23, 2006
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director, Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu

PNC College Bound Gains Wells Fargo as a Contributor

WESTVILLE – The Purdue University North Central College Bound program has received a contribution from Wells Fargo in LaPorte, becoming the first financial institution in the city and the second major LaPorte business to cast support behind the program that makes a PNC education available to qualifying students from the LaPorte Community School Corporation.

This is the first year of College Bound participation for LaPorte Community Schools, where 40 eighth grade students are part of the program.

“At Wells Fargo, a core element of our Vision and Values is active support of our communities, especially education initiatives,” said Kevin LeCavalier, Wells Fargo Community Banking president in LaPorte. “It is important to us to support the College Bound program, which enriches the lives of youth in our community through education and helps secure their future successes.”

“The enthusiasm and support shown to the College Bound program by the LaPorte community confirms our commitment that our young people, if given the opportunity, will accomplish great things,” said Dr. Judith A. DeMuth, superintendent of the LaPorte Community School Corporation.

“The LaPorte Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees and School Corporation are extremely honored and proud to be part of the Purdue College Bound Project that will make college a reality for many of our students who would have never had this opportunity.”

The PNC College Bound program is also in place in the Michigan City Area School system (MCAS), having started there in the 2005 – 2006 academic year with 30 participating students. This year, the Michigan City Area Schools have 22 eighth-grade College Bound students.

As explained by PNC Chancellor Dr. James B. Dworkin, College Bound will provide scholarship assistance to students who show potential in an area where PNC offers a baccalaureate degree. Students will be selected for the College Bound program in the seventh grade and will begin their activities as eighth graders. New students will be added each following year as the program continues.

From eighth grade through high school graduation, students will take part in enrichment activities such as field trips and after-school programs. They will have opportunities to meet mentor-teachers who will be role models who help to inspire the youngsters to excel.

PNC College Bound is funded solely by donations. The PNC College Bound program serving LaPorte Community Schools is backed by Wells Fargo and LaPorte Regional Health System. Michigan City Area Schools College Bound is supported by City Savings Bank, Horizon Bank, Sullair Corporation, Saint Anthony Memorial Health Centers and Tonn & Blank Construction all of Michigan City, Michigan City Community Enrichment Corporation and NIPSCO.

In Indiana, Wells Fargo has 1,143 team members and 39 stores. In 2005, Wells Fargo donated $95.2 million to 15,000 organizations. In Indiana Wells Fargo donated more than $1 million to non-profit organizations and schools across the state.

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $500 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance to more than 23 million customers from more than 6,200 stores and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and elsewhere internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. has the highest possible credit rating, "Aaa," from Moody's Investors Service and the highest credit rating given to a U.S. bank, "AA+," from Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.


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