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Hispanic College Fund Announces 2009 Manuel Candamo Memorial Scholarship Winners

Eight Puerto Rican Students to Receive the Manuel Candamo Memorial Scholarship

La Playa, Puerto Rico (June 10, 2009) - The Hispanic College Fund today announced the winners of the Manuel Candamo Memorial Scholarship, awarded annually to Puerto Rican students who demonstrate a commitment to community service and academic excellence.

"This year's scholarship recipients are distinguished not only by their admirable academic performance, but by their clear dedication to serving others," said Idalia Fernandez, President of the Hispanic College Fund. "In this, they uphold one of the core values that Manuel Candamo and the Hispanic College Fund have always shared - the importance of giving back to the community. We are proud to support these students knowing that these scholarships will enable them to continue to give to others in this way."

Scholarship recipients include Alexandra Vélez, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras; Emely Pérez Ramírez, University of Puerto Rico, Ponce; Mirelys Sanchez, University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla; Edgardo Vázquez, Univerity of Puerto Rico, Arecibo; Jimmy Ortiz, Embry-Riddle University, FL; Natalie Nater, College of Notre Dame, MD; Elimar Alvarado Miranda, Universidad Politécnica de Puerto Rico; and Maria Vega, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Ponce. $10,000 in total scholarship monies will be awarded.

The scholarships will be presented to these students at an award luncheon scheduled to take place at Bahías Restaurant in La Playa, Puerto Rico on June 25, 2009. The sponsors of the Manuel Candamo Memorial scholarship program include Casiano Communications, INDUNIV, Innovative Analytics and Training, LLC, Sodexo and M&T Bank.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must: be Puerto Rican or of Puerto Rican descent, be a U.S. citizen residing in Puerto Rico, be or plan to be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate student at an accredited university in the U.S. or Puerto Rico for the 2009-2010 academic year, have earned and maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of no less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and demonstrate financial need.

The Manuel Candamo Memorial Scholarship was established to recognize the contributions of Manuel Candamo, a Puerto Rican businessman and entrepreneur dedicated to improving the education of Latino students.

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About the Hispanic College Fund:

Founded in 1993, the Hispanic College Fund is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC, whose mission is to develop the next generation of Hispanic professionals. For 15 years, the Hispanic College Fund has provided educational, scholarship, and mentoring programs to students throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, establishing a career pipeline of talented and career-driven Hispanics who are trained in the fields of business, science, technology, engineering, and math.

The Hispanic College Fund has an annual budget of $6 million with 20 full-time employees. In 2006, the Hispanic College Fund received the Brillante award for "Nonprofit of the Year" from the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, and in 2007 was recognized by USA Today as one of the nation's top 25 charities. In 2009, the Hispanic College Fund received a coveted four-star rating from Charity Navigator in recognition of its fiscal responsibility.

Website: www.hispanicfund.org

About the Manuel Candamo Memorial Scholarship Fund:

The Manuel Candamo Memorial Scholarship Fund was founded to provide financial support to Puerto Rican college and college-bound students. Manuel Candamo was a well-regarded businessman and entrepreneur in Washington, D.C. and in his native Puerto Rico. Manuel lost his battle with cancer in July, 2006 at the age of 46, but his legacy lives on through his scholarship fund.