Smithfield Foods expands scholarship program

Eligible dependents can now participate at South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota, Hampton University and Virginia State University.

January 12, 2022

1 Min Read
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South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota, Hampton University and Virginia State University are the latest higher education institutions to join Smithfield Foods' Scholarship Program. The company's scholarship program provides eligible dependents of full-time and retired Smithfield employees with up to $7,500 a year in educational scholarships to participating colleges and universities for four years.

The need-based program has awarded over 1,300 scholarships totaling $7.6 million since 2002, more than half of which the company has contributed since 2017. 

SDSU, USD, HU and VSU join more than a dozen participating colleges and universities across the United States, including several historically Black colleges and universities. The program's expansion follows Smithfield's 2020 commitment to add additional historically Black colleges and universities to its program and ensure a broad range of educational opportunities. 

Smithfield's philanthropic initiatives span international efforts focused on hunger relief, education and veterans in communities its employees call home. 

"We're excited to further diversify our longstanding scholarship program and welcome these new schools to our portfolio," says Jonathan Toms, community development manager for Smithfield Foods. "Our scholarship program underscores the responsibility we feel to support our more than 40,000 U.S. team members and their families across America, and our efforts to expand the program reflect our commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in education." 

Applications for the 2022-2023 school year are due May 15. For additional information on participating schools, academic programs and individual application processes, visit Smithfield Foods scholarship page

 

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