"Kochs donate $25m to United Negro College Fund" by Kimberly Hefling | Associated Press June 07, 2014
WASHINGTON — The United Negro College Fund announced a $25 million grant Friday from Koch Industries Inc. and the Charles Koch Foundation — a large donation from the conservative powerhouse Koch name that Democrats have sought to vilify heading into the 2014 midterm elections.
The fund, known for its iconic motto, ‘‘A mind is a terrible thing to waste,’’ supports historically black colleges and universities and provides scholarships.
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African-Americans are a key constituency within the Democratic Party. But Michael Lomax, president and chief executive officer of the fund, said that since the organization’s inception in 1944, it has reached out to people of all backgrounds for support without an ‘‘ideological lens’’ because it is in everyone’s interest. He said in today’s politically charged climate, he’s prepared to take criticism from those of different political leanings than the Kochs.
He's got $25 million rea$ons to do so.
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Lomax said he and Charles Koch, chairman and chief executive officer of Koch Industries, based in Wichita, Kan., had lunch together and were able to find that we ‘‘shared a profound belief in the importance of education.’’
In a statement, Koch said ‘‘increasing well-being by helping people improve their lives has long been our focus’’ and that the partnership will provide promising students with new educational opportunities.
‘‘We have tremendous respect for UNCF, and we are hopeful this investment will further its effectiveness in helping students pursue their dreams,’’ Koch said.
Scholarship recipients in the new ‘‘UNCF/Koch Scholars Program’’ are to be exemplary students interested in how the study of entrepreneurship, economics, and innovation contributes to overall well-being. They must attend one of the fund’s 37-member private historically black colleges and universities or one of the 250 colleges and universities where the Charles Koch Foundation has an existing program. They will attend an annual summit, have mentorship opportunities, and have the ability to participate in an online community.
Just training that next crop of frontmen for themselves.
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I guess the Koch Brothers ain't all bad, huh?
Don't get me wrong; here upon a Sunday mourning I am not complaining about the fare in the paper. I'm a bit intrigued at the silence since the crash, but that's okay. I know the Sunday Globe is not written for me, which is why I haven't even cracked that section this week.
