AT&T’s visionary support will help Benedict College further its mission of cultivating the next generation of leaders and innovators while helping to close the digital divide.
Featured Photo:
Benedict College was thrilled to partner with AT&T to provide 100 laptop computers to deserving Benedict College students. The look of joy and gratitude on their faces as they received these free essential devices was truly heartwarming.
Columbia, SC—October 10, 2024, The computers, funded by an AT&T contribution, were given to Benedict College students yesterday after a press conference announcing the partnership.
“We are deeply grateful to our partners at AT&T for their generous donation of 100 laptop computers to deserving Benedict College students. This transformative gift will have a profound impact on our campus community, providing our scholars with the essential technology they need to excel in their studies and unlock new opportunities for learning and growth,” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. At Benedict College, we are committed to empowering our students and equipping them with the resources necessary for academic success. Thanks to AT&T’s visionary support, we can further our mission of cultivating the next generation of leaders and innovators. This donation demonstrates AT&T’s dedication to investing in the future of our students and our community, and we are honored to collaborate with them on this impactful initiative.”
“I want to personally thank AT&T for making this opportunity possible. This laptop is more than just a device. It’s an investment in my future,” said 23-year-old, Jillian Garrison, a criminal justice major. “It’s an investment in my future. It’s a lifeline to opportunity, a bridge to academic achievement and a reminder that where we start does not have to define where we end up. Thank you, AT&T, for being a part of this transformation. Your generosity is truly making a difference.
This effort is part of the AT&T Connected Learning® initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030.
“At AT&T, we are committed to helping close the digital equity gap, and we are proud to provide Benedict College students with the technology and digital resources they need to thrive,” said Terrance Ford, Vice President of External Affairs, AT&T South Carolina. “Through this collaboration, we are empowering Benedict College students with the promise of tomorrow and connecting more South Carolinians to greater possibility.”
Photo L-R, Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO, Benedict College; Jillian Garrison, senior criminal justice major; Cynthia Duncan Joeseph, Director, Student Success and Retention; and Terrance Ford, Vice President of External Affairs, AT&T South Carolina.
Learn more at att.com/connectedlearning.
###
About Benedict College (www.benedict.edu)
Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution offering 29 competitive baccalaureate degree programs and two master’s degree programs. The Midlands HBCU welcomes students from all 46 counties in South Carolina, 30 states across America, and 26 countries around the world. The College also has a diverse faculty deeply engaged in teaching, research, and service.
Benedict College has been highly regarded and exceptionally ranked for its programs by several academic and traditional publications. Benedict College is the recipient of the 2024 UNCF Institutional Excellence Award given by UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building Program in celebration of an HBCU that achieved next-level performance. Benedict was also named HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest and was listed among the top half of ranked HBCUs in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges by US News and World Report.
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs hold national accreditation: Social Work Program, Environmental Health Science Program, Environmental Engineering, Studio Art, and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship.
About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
We’re committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and improving lives. As part of our companywide commitment to address the digital divide, we launched AT&T Connected Learning® to invest in connectivity and technology, digital literacy, and education solutions to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since 2008 we’ve committed to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states, Washington D.C. and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.
