The deadline to apply for a study abroad grant from The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is Wednesday, February 15. Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all discipline honor society, will award 50 $1,000 grants to students nationwide.

Awarded twice a year—50 in the spring and 25 in the fall—the grants are designed to support undergraduates, both members and nonmembers, as they seek expanded knowledge and experience in their academic fields. Interested students do not have to be a member of Phi Kappa Phi to apply, but must currently attend an institution with an active chapter.

“Throughout my entire life I have been fascinated with science and mathematics and have had a passion for education, teaching, and learning,” said John Heeg, a 2016 grant recipient from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. “In order to reach a greater number of students, I have a desire to become more proficient in the Spanish language and experience Spanish culture. The Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant will make this dream a reality.”

Phi Kappa Phi gives 75 study abroad grants annually to students on its chapter campuses. Since its inception in 2001, the program has awarded more than $775,000.

In addition to the study abroad program, the Society awards $1.4 million each biennium to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

The application period for students to apply for a $1,000 study abroad grant is currently open until February 15. For full eligibility requirements and application instructions, visit www.phikappaphi.org/studyabroad.

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in North America and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.” For more information, visit www.phikappaphi.org.

Media Contact
Hannah Breaux
Communications Director
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
hbreaux@phikappaphi.org
225.923.7777

Since 2007, ESA Foundation has provided more than $800,000 in scholarships for next generation of gaming innovators

Washington, D.C. February 1, 2017 – The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Foundation scholarship program today announced it is accepting applications for its Computer and Video Game Scholarship Program for the 2017-18 academic school year.

ESA Foundation aims to enhance education and encourage diversity in the computer and video game industry. Each year, ESA Foundation awards up to 30 scholarships of $3,000 each to women and minority students pursuing video game-related degrees. Since the program’s inception, ESA Foundation has awarded more than 260 scholarships to students.

“My ESA Foundation scholarship is a pathway for me to make an impact on the gaming industry in ways that have yet to be discovered,” said past scholarship recipient Anna Nguyen.

Scholarships are offered for full-time undergraduate study at accredited four-year colleges and universities in the USA. Current high school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply.

International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS), an independent scholarship administration company, manages the online application. Eligible applicants are evaluated on academic performance, academic honors, career plans and goals, extracurricular activities and special circumstances such as military service. Finalists are selected by an independent jury of industry experts.

Learn more about ESA Foundation scholarship program at http://esafoundation.org/scholarship.asp. The deadline to apply is April 27, 2017.

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About ESA Foundation
Created by the American entertainment software industry, the ESA Foundation works to make a positive difference in the lives of America’s youth by providing scholarships to the next generation of industry innovators and supporting charitable organizations and schools that leverage entertainment software and technology. ESA Foundation is primarily supported by proceeds from its signature annual fundraiser, Nite to Unite and other charitable initiatives. For more information, please visit ESA Foundation’s website or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

About International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS)
Founded in 1985, International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. provides comprehensive scholarship, grant, tuition assistance and tuition reimbursement program management. ISTS is a 100% women-owned company, focused on offering cutting-edge technology and sustainable solutions to corporations, foundations, associations, unions and other scholarship-granting organizations worldwide. For more information about ISTS, visit www.applyISTS.com.

Media Contact
Carissa Reeves
Marketing and Public Relations Manager, ISTS
creeves@applyISTS.com / 615.777.3735

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation’s oldest and most selective all discipline honor society—today announced the start of its annual book drive competition. Established by the Society’s Council of Students, the competition aims to encourage and promote literacy in the communities and campuses served by Phi Kappa Phi’s chapters.

Interested chapters can participate in the competition by hosting a drive to collect books or funds to be applied toward literacy materials. To be eligible, the drives must take place any time between February 1 and April 30, 2017.

“The book drive competition is a fitting extension of the Phi Kappa Phi mission,” said Society Executive Director Dr. Mary Todd. “The competition provides an opportunity for our chapters to engage in service to others while enabling access to resources and opportunities that promote lifelong learning.”

The Phi Kappa Phi chapters that collect the most books or monetary donations will receive a “Little Free Library” to be placed at a location of their choice. Winning chapters will also receive $150 to cover the cost of design materials to personalize the library.

The annual competition, now in its fourth year, has donated nearly 30,000 books to organizations both locally and abroad. Organizations that have received donated books as part of the competition include schools, libraries, hospitals, correctional centers, tutoring and mentoring programs, shelters and more.

To learn more about the competition or to locate your local chapter, visit www.phikappaphi.org/bookdrive.

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in North America and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.” For more information, visit www.phikappaphi.org.

Media Contact
Hannah Breaux
Communications Director
(225) 923-7777
hbreaux@phikappaphi.org

Amazon Prime Student members enjoy Free Two-Day Shipping on more than 30 million items and now receive $10 when they refer a friend to the program.

SEATTLE, Wash. — The New Year is in full swing and Amazon is helping college students return from the holidays and get ready for the second half of the academic year, from restocking everyday essentials to renting textbooks. Amazon Prime Student, which is half the price of a regular Amazon Prime membership, offers students the ease of shopping online with Free Two-Day Shipping, unlimited streaming of tens of thousands of movies and TV shows with Prime Video, exclusive college deals and so much more. And, for a limited time, students can earn themselves and their friends a $10 credit for every person they refer who signs up for an Amazon Prime Student trial. Find out more here.

Students who sign up for Amazon Prime Student receive a six month trial and immediately start enjoying Free Two-Day Shipping on more than 30 million items plus free game content with Twitch, unlimited listening to original Audible series and unlimited reading on any device with Prime Reading. Amazon Prime Student members can also take advantage of unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows through Prime Video.

Once bags are unpacked and students settle in to prepare for classes, Amazon makes the transition from vacation back to class easy with the Amazon Textbooks Store, offering savings of up to 80% off list price for rentals between 30 to 360 days and up to 60% off purchases. With Amazon’s flexible rental program, students can decide how long to keep the material. And, when it comes time to send items back, Amazon will pay for return shipping.

And, don’t forget to redeem those Amazon Gift Cards. Amazon Gift Cards do not expire and can be redeemed on hundreds of millions of items on Amazon.com from physical to digital products, including those dorm room or apartment necessities.

For the latest deals on must-have back-to-school essentials, follow Amazon Prime Student on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

About Amazon Prime Student
Amazon Prime Student gives college students unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping on more than 30 million items. Students can sign up for a six-month trial of Amazon Prime Student at no cost to access these benefits, plus unlimited streaming of tens of thousands of movies and TV shows with Prime Video, free unlimited photo storage with Prime Photos and unlimited reading across devices with Prime Reading. After that it’s just $49 a year — half the price of a regular Amazon Prime membership — and includes over a million songs with Prime Music and exclusive gaming discounts with Twitch Prime. To learn more, visit amazon.com/join-student.

Media Contact:
Carly Golden
gocarly@amazon.com

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation’s oldest and most selective multidisciplinary honor society—is now accepting applications for its 2017 award programs. These awards include Fellowships, Study Abroad Grants, Literacy Grants and Love of Learning Awards. The awards provide funds for graduate study, continuing education, professional development, literacy initiatives and studies abroad.

Since 1933, Phi Kappa Phi’s award programs have recognized members and students on its chapter campuses for outstanding academic achievement. Currently, $1.4 million is awarded each biennium. Last year the organization recognized over 280 individuals.

Programs now accepting applications include:

• Study Abroad Grants: 50 grants of $1,000 each will be awarded to both members and non-members studying abroad. The deadline to apply is February 15.
• Literacy Grants: Grants of up to $2,500 are available to Phi Kappa Phi chapters and individual members seeking funding for literacy initiatives. The deadline to apply is April 1.
• Love of Learning Awards: One hundred awards, at $500 each, are available to help fund post-baccalaureate studies and professional development for members. The deadline to apply is April 1.
• Fellowships: Six Fellowships of $15,000 each and 51 Fellowships of $5,000 each are available to members entering their first year of graduate or professional study. The deadline to apply varies by chapter. Contact your local chapter for deadline information.

For more information including eligibility requirements and application instructions for each program, please visit www.phikappaphi.org/awards.

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in North America and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.” For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

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Media Contact
Hannah Breaux
Communications Director
hbreaux@phikappaphi.org
225.923.7777

WATCH HERE:

“Adderall” available now!
http://smarturl.it/GetAdderall

Max Frost, named by RollingStone and NPR as one of their “10 Artists You Need To Know,” has released the video for “Adderall”. This incredibly addicting new song follows up his ‘Intoxication’ EP, which featured several tracks that hit #1 on Hype Machine’s “Most Popular Tracks on Blogs” chart.

The video was shot mainly in an ice cream truck on the streets of Los Angeles and according to Max, “I wanted to portray a character who shows both the light side and the dark side of a useful drug like Adderall. The come up and the crash.”

Off the back of the ‘Intoxication’ EP, 2016 has seen Max on the road and selling out shows around the world from the US to Australia to Europe, including his first extremely successful US headline tour. Frost has toured with such names as Gary Clark Jr., Fitz & The Tantrums, HONNE, and Wild Child.

Max’s “INTOXICATION” EP is available everywhere now for download and streaming.

For more information, please visit:
maxfrost.net
twitter.com/maxfrostmusic (@maxfrostmusic)
www.youtube.com/maxfrostguitar
www.facebook.com/maxfrostmusic
www.atlanticrecords.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

Christina Kotsamanidis
Christina.Kotsamanidis@atlanticrecords.com

Amy Laudicano
Amy.Laudicano@atlanticrecords.com

Contest inspired by the upcoming film ‘Hidden Figures’, will award up to $200,000 in scholarships to promising female leaders

PURCHASE, NY, Nov 30, 2016 – PepsiCo and 21st Century Fox, in partnership with the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS), announce “The Search for Hidden Figures” – a new scholarship contest designed to help uncover the next generation of female leaders in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The program is inspired by the highly-anticipated feature film “Hidden Figures”, in theaters nationwide on January 6, 2017, produced by Pharrell Williams, starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, and Jim Parsons. The film tells the ‘untold’ story of three African American female NASA mathematicians during the Space Race of the 1960’s. This contest will support today’s emerging STEM visionaries by awarding over $200,000 in scholarships and other prizes to over 20 winners.

“PepsiCo is incredibly proud to work with 21st Century Fox and the New York Academy of Sciences to shine a light on women and girls doing outstanding but unheralded work in science, technology, engineering and math,” said Mehmood Khan, PepsiCo’s Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer, Global Research and Development. “The ‘Hidden Figures’ story is being told at a time when advances in each of these fields are creating unprecedented opportunities to develop solutions for many of the world’s biggest challenges. PepsiCo is proud to actively support the discovery of STEM talent and the development of STEM skills in the workforce.”

Beginning November 14, 2016 through December 10, 2016, online entries will be accepted directly at www.SearchforHiddenFigures.com. Semi-finalists will be selected in mid-December, and each will be asked to provide a video submission for continued consideration. Top video submissions will then be judged by a notable panel of judges that include: “Hidden Figures” Producer Pharrell Williams; “Hidden Figures” Producer Donna Gigliotti; Fox 2000 President Elizabeth Gabler; and President of the New York Academy of Sciences Ellis Rubinstein.

On January 12, 2017, two grand prize winners will be announced. Winners will receive access to the NYAS STEM skills training materials and programs, up to $200,000 in scholarships, and a trip to the Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, Florida.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to share the story of Katherine Johnson and her peers whose contributions have remained hidden for too long,” said Lachlan Murdoch, Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox. “At 21CF, we believe in the power of storytelling to inspire the next generation of talent to dream bigger and unlock their full potential, and through The Search for Hidden Figures contest we are excited to give young women across the country the encouragement to pursue those dreams.”

To help encourage participation, PepsiCo and 21st Century Fox will be supporting the campaign with a national TV and digital media campaign featuring the film’s lead actress, Taraji P. Henson, as well as messages of encouragement from the film’s actresses and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from “Hidden Figures” on the contest’s website. To further discussion around STEM, PepsiCo will also be launching a collection of STEM mobile and web games, quizzes and challenges for students and fans of the film to test their skills. The mobile and web games can be found at http://searchforhiddenfigures.com/stem-challenges/.

PEPSICO’S GLOBAL COMMITMENT TO STEM
At PepsiCo, deep scientific and technological expertise is critical to meeting the company’s Performance with Purpose goals. Unlocking new ways to create more nutritionally advantaged foods and beverages or delivering tangible plans to increase production while reducing the company’s environment footprint, all rely on STEM leadership. By investing in today’s emerging talent, PepsiCo is playing a role in inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders who will likely become the driving force behind the company’s future innovation and topline growth.

PepsiCo recently announced a commitment to improve the lives of 12.5 million women and girls by 2025, as part of its Performance with Purpose goals. Given that women represent only 24 percent of the STEM workforce, PepsiCo is particularly committed to expanding and encouraging STEM opportunities among female students and professionals.

Prior to the Search for Hidden Figures contest, PepsiCo was the founding chair of the STEM Innovation Taskforce, a coalition on of more than 35 industry, government, educator and NGO partners who work cross functionally to develop and implement programs to help solve the STEM shortfall. Additionally, PepsiCo holds a longstanding relationship with NYAS and continues to support “The Junior Academy of the New York Academy of Sciences” – a virtual program dedicated to engaging exceptional STEM students. For more information about The Junior Academy of NYAS, please visit www.thejunioracademy.org.

“HIDDEN FIGURES”, A NEW MOTION PICTURE FROM 20TH CENTURY FOX
“Hidden Figures,” directed by Theodore Melfi, is the incredible untold story of Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)—brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanized the world. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big. The film was written by Allison Schroeder and Melfi and is based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly.

The film opens wide on January 6, 2017. For more information and to watch the trailer, please visit www.foxmovies.com/movies/hidden-figures.

About PepsiCo:
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $63 billion in net revenue in 2015, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our fundamental belief that the success of our company is inextricably linked to the sustainability of the world around us. We believe that continuously improving the products we sell, operating responsibly to protect our planet and empowering people around the world is what enables PepsiCo to run a successful global company that creates long-term value for society and our shareholders. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

About 21st Century Fox:
21st Century Fox is the world’s premier portfolio of cable, broadcast, film, pay TV and satellite assets spanning six continents across the globe. Reaching more than 1.8 billion subscribers in approximately 50 local languages every day, 21st Century Fox is home to a global portfolio of cable and broadcasting networks and properties, including FOX, FX, FXX, FXM, FS1, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FOX Sports, Fox Sports Network, National Geographic, STAR India, 28 local television stations in the U.S. and more than 350 international channels; film studio Twentieth Century Fox Film; and television production studios Twentieth Century Fox Television and a 50% ownership interest in Endemol Shine Group. The Company also holds a 39.1% ownership interest in Sky, Europe’s leading entertainment company, which serves 22 million customers across five countries. For more information about 21st Century Fox, please visit www.21CF.com.

About the New York Academy of Sciences
The New York Academy of Sciences is an independent, not-for-profit organization that since 1817 has been driving innovative solutions to society’s challenges by advancing scientific research, education, and policy. With more than 20,000 members in 100 countries, the Academy is creating a global community of science for the benefit of humanity. Please visit us online at http://www.nyas.org/ and follow us on Twitter at @NYASciences.

Media Inquiries:
Andrea Canabal
PepsiCo Media Relations
andrea.canabal@pepsico.com

For PepsiCo:
Margot Leeds, PMK*BNC
Margot.Leeds@pmkbnc.com

For 20th Century Fox, East Coast:
Sue Warde, East Coast
Sue.Warde@fox.com

For 20th Century Fox, West Coast:
Sara Hull
Sara.Hull@fox.com

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Looking for your first job out of college? These are the companies hiring the most new grads and the most popular jobs among 2016 grads.

Graduation is fast approaching, and companies have posted millions of internships and entry-level jobs on LinkedIn. But like many students, you may not know how to start looking for a job, or even what your options are.

Our biggest advice is — don’t wait. Build your LinkedIn profile, and get started on your job search today.

Here are the companies that have hired the most U.S. grads in 2016, and the most popular jobs for college grads.

Most Popular Companies for Recent Graduates:
1. Deloitte
2. EY
3. PwC
4. Amazon
5. Oracle
6. Accenture
7. Target
8. JPMorgan Chase
9. Insight Global
10. Lockheed Martin

Most Popular Entry-Level Jobs and Median Salaries for Recent Graduates:
1. Account Manager - $50,000
2. Software engineer – $80,000
3. Business analyst – $59,000
4. Customer service representative - $35,000
5. Administrative assistant – $39,500
6. Recruiter - $39,200
7. Consultant - $73,000
8. Investment Banking Analyst - $85,000
9. Graphic Designer - $36,000
10. Staff Accountant - $50,000

LinkedIn is here to help you every step of your career journey to land a job you love. Browse entry level jobs on LinkedIn, and get started on planning your career journey today.

Methodology: To create this list, we looked at the 10 most popular entry-level jobs and companies that 2016 college graduates went into in the U.S. based on LinkedIn profile data of millions of students. Median salaries are the U.S. median of 0-1 year(s) of experience for each role as reported by LinkedIn Salary. The results of this analysis represent the world as seen through the lens of LinkedIn data. As such, it is influenced by how members choose to use the site, which can vary based on professional, social, and regional culture, as well as overall site availability and accessibility.

Media Contact
Sophie Sieck
(415) 717-6241
ssieck@linkedin.com

FORT MYERS, FL – November 15, 2016 – In response to outbreaks of meningococcal disease on college campuses and the increased risk of infection among college-age populations, the National Meningitis Association (NMA) launched the Pledge2Prevent toolkit this week. The toolkit contains a variety of materials that will help student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, advocate for campus vaccine mandates and educate fellow students about meningococcal disease and its prevention.

Recent meningococcal disease outbreaks on U.S. college campuses, including University Wisconsin Madison, Santa Clara University, and Rutgers University illustrate the importance of vaccination against this devastating disease. Since these outbreaks, as well as most of the recent cases on college campuses, have primarily involved cases of serogroup B disease, the toolkit emphasizes that students should receive both the MenACWY and the MenB vaccines to be fully protected.

“Vaccination is the only way to protect yourself from meningococcal disease,” says Lynn Bozof, NMA President, “and everyone at increased risk needs to know that you need both kinds of vaccines to be best protected against the five major types of this disease.”

As part of the campaign, NMA included the stories of two advocates: Kolton Kreston, who survived serogroup B disease when he was a college junior, and Claudette Lewis, who lost her daughter Cherice to the disease when she was a sophomore.

“Fighting meningitis was the biggest obstacle I ever faced. The pain was so intense at times I didn’t want to live. I urge every student to learn more about meningitis and get both vaccines.” said Kolton, who now coaches wrestling at Northwestern College in Iowa.

The toolkit also features a video with more advocate stories. The video urges adolescents and young adults to talk to their doctors about both kinds of meningococcal vaccines.

Adolescents and young adults 16-23 years old are at increased risk of contracting meningococcal disease, which is fast moving and can be deadly or debilitating. Two vaccines offer protection against all five of the major strains of the disease: A, C, W, Y and B.

Other components of the toolkit include materials, such as a poster, fliers, an FAQ, and a sample petition, that can be used by members of the college community to educate others or advocate for change.

About meningococcal disease
Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection that most often leads to severe swelling of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) or infection of the bloodstream (meningococcemia). Even with antibiotic treatment, 10 to 15 out of 100 people infected with meningococcal disease will die; about 11 to 19 out of every 100 survivors will have long-term disabilities, such as loss of limb(s), deafness, nervous system problems, or brain damage.

About the National Meningitis Association
The National Meningitis Association (NMA) works to protect families from the potentially devastating effects of meningococcal disease by educating the public, medical professionals and others about the disease and its prevention. The NMA network also provides critical emotional support for families who have been affected by meningococcal disease. Visit nmaus.org for more information.

# # #

Media Contact
Thomas Lloyd
National Meningitis Association
TLloyd@alembicunlimited.com
(212) 886-2274

University of Pennsylvania is first Ivy League school to pursue 100% tobacco-free campus policy
Morning Consult survey shows strong public support for addressing smoking and tobacco use among college students
Now accepting online applications for next round of tobacco-free campus grants

ATLANTA, GA (November 14, 2016) – The American Cancer Society and the CVS Health Foundation today awarded grants to 20 U.S. colleges and universities as part of their Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative (TFGCI), a $3.6 million multi-year program intended to accelerate and expand the adoption and implementation of 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free campus policies. The announcement coincides this week with the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout.

The Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative is part of Be The First, CVS Health’s five-year, $50 million initiative that supports education, advocacy, tobacco control, and healthy behavior programming to help deliver the nation’s first tobacco-free generation. CVS Health has set actionable and measurable goals for Be The First, including a doubling of the number of tobacco-free college and university campuses in the United States.

“With our partners at CVS Health, we are excited to support the efforts of many dedicated students, faculty and staff to make their campuses smoke- and tobacco-free using proven strategies that will also reduce tobacco use among students,” said Gary M. Reedy, Chief Executive Officer for the American Cancer Society. “To be successful in creating a tobacco-free generation, it is important that we prevent and eliminate lethal and addictive tobacco use among college students.”

The American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout will take place on Thursday, November 17. The annual intervention effort encourages smokers to quit for a day, quit for good, or make a plan to quit, and raises awareness around the many tools and resources they can use to help them quit.

Grant Recipients from Coast to Coast
Over the next three years, the Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative will award grants to a total of 125 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. with the greatest need for stronger tobacco prevention and control. The grants will help schools successfully advocate for, adopt and implement 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free campus policies. Campuses will also receive technical assistance and resources to support their efforts with education, communications, cessation, and evaluation.

The University of Pennsylvania is one of the first 20 grant recipients, and is working towards becoming the first Ivy League institution to adopt a 100 percent tobacco-free campus policy.

“We are grateful to be among the recipients of the American Cancer Society/CVS Health Foundation tobacco control grant as it recognizes and supports Penn’s commitment to a tobacco-free campus,” said Penn President Amy Gutmann. “Under the leadership of Penn pulmonologist Frank Leone, we have developed an innovative, interdisciplinary approach to smoking cessation that has yielded unprecedented success in just two years. Frank Leone and his colleagues understand the complexity of the problem of tobacco dependence and the need to take a long-term view to change tobacco behaviors. This generous grant will greatly aid the University’s ongoing efforts to effectively address this major public health epidemic.”

Other grant recipients include: Bowling Green State University (Ohio), California State University San Marcos, Davenport University (Mich.), East Carolina University (N.C.), El Paso Community College (Texas), Indiana University – Bloomington, Lenoir-Rhyne University (N.C.), Merritt College (Calif.), Montclair State University (N.J.), Oakland University (Mich.), Penn State University (Pa.), Piedmont Community College (N.C.), Saint Mary’s College of California, Springfield College (Mass.), St. Xavier University (Ill.), Texas Christian University, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College (Ohio) and University of Michigan.

Public Support for Tobacco Control on Campus
TFGCI grants are intended to address a critical, unmet need by supporting efforts to advocate for, establish and institute smoke- and tobacco-free campus policies. The U.S. Department of Education reports there are approximately 4,700 institutions of higher education in the United States. According to the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, only 1,427 campuses are 100-percent smoke- and tobacco-free. That reflects major progress over earlier years, but much remains to be done.

According to a new national Morning Consult poll of 2,202 registered voters commissioned by CVS Health on October 12-18 2016, there is strong public support for addressing the continued impact of tobacco use on college and university campuses. Among the key poll findings:

- Seventy-six-percent of Americans think youth smoking and/or tobacco use is a problem. Similarly, 69% of Americans think college student smoking and/or tobacco use is a problem.
- More than half of Americans (56%) think the number of tobacco-free campuses is too low. This is similar among U.S. college students where the combined percentage is 54 percent.
- Three-quarters (75%) of Americans support policies that prohibit smoking and other tobacco use on college campuses.
- Fifty-two percent of Americans think whether or not a campus is tobacco-free is an important consideration when applying to, and potentially attending, a college/university, ranking behind academic quality (86%) and quality of housing (79%), but ahead of how competitive athletic teams are (38%).

“We’re at a critical moment in our nation’s efforts to end the epidemic of smoking and tobacco use, and expanding the number of tobacco-free college and university campuses is an important step in our efforts,” said Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., M.P.H., and Chief Medical Officer for CVS Health. “We’re confident our strategy will drive a significant decline in the number of new college-age smokers, and contribute to the progress being made where a tobacco-free generation in the U.S. seems possible.”

Accepting Applications for New Grants
In partnership with the CVS Health Foundation, the American Cancer Society will begin accepting online applications for the next round of Tobacco-Free Generation Initiative (TFGCI) grants. The fall grant cycle will run through February 28, 2017 with the names of grant recipients to be announced in May 2017.

In addition to grants, colleges and universities will receive technical assistance throughout the tobacco-free policy planning and implementation process. Technical assistance will be provided through webinars, online resources and limited one-on-one consultations.

To learn more about the Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative (TFGCI), U.S. colleges and universities are encouraged to visit www.CVSHealth.com/tobaccofreecampus. To apply for a TFGCI grant, visit www.cancer.org/tfgci.

For downloadable multimedia assets related to this announcement, visit
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7963951-cvs-health-tobacco-free-campus

About The American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2 million volunteers saving lives in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 23 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. We’re finding cures as the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

About the CVS Health Foundation
The CVS Health Foundation is a private charitable organization created by CVS Health that works to build healthier communities, enabling people of all ages to lead healthy, productive lives. The Foundation provides strategic investments to nonprofit partners throughout the U.S. who help increase community-based access to health care for underserved populations, create innovative approaches to chronic disease management and provide tobacco cessation and youth prevention programming. We also invest in scholarship programs that open the pathways to careers in pharmacy to support the academic aspirations of the best and brightest talent in the industry. Our philanthropy also extends to supporting our colleagues’ spirit of volunteerism through Volunteer Challenge grants to nonprofits where they donate their time and fundraising efforts. To learn more about the CVS Health Foundation and its giving, visit www.cvshealth.com/social-responsibility.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
American Cancer Society: Charaighn Sesock, 559.972.4877, charaighn.sesock@cancer.org
CVS Health: Joe Goode, 401.770.9820, jlgoode@cvs.com