Centenary Receives Educational Matching Gift Grants From ExxonMobil Employees & Retirees

SHREVERPORT, La.—Centenary College was one of 19 Louisiana colleges and universities to receive grants through the ExxonMobil Foundation's 2007 Educational Matching Gift Program. According to the corporation's media release on May 9, more than $2.5 million was donated to the schools from ExxonMobil employees, retirees, surviving spouses and directors.

"Good causes like Centenary College thrive when good corporate citizens like ExxonMobile make philanthropy a top priority," said Dr. Kathy Fell, Vice President for Development. "Thank you ExxonMobile, for your generous support!"

ExxonMobil employees, retirees, surviving spouses and directors contributed more than $900,000 to Louisiana institutions of higher education in 2007, which was matched by the ExxonMobil Foundation with $1.6 million in unrestricted educational grants. More than $41,000 was donated to Centenary College in 2007 through the program. In 2008, the College has already been awarded more than $21,000 in grants through the program.

The Educational Matching Gift Program is one of the most generous of its kind in the United States, matching gifts to affiliated higher education institutions by employees and retirees on a 3-to-1 basis. Since its inception in 1962, the program has provided more than $372 million to higher education in the United States.

ExxonMobil Foundation funds math and science programs to respond to the nation's growing need to produce more engineers and scientists and to develop more highly qualified math and science teachers. To assist with these efforts, the Foundation is encouraging college and university presidents to allocate a portion of the unrestricted matching funds to existing or new programs which provide teachers with professional development opportunities, train new math and science teachers, and support women and minority science and engineering programs.

"For more than 40 years ExxonMobil's employees and retirees have demonstrated their commitment to institutions of higher education through their generous contributions through the Educational Matching Gift Program," said Kenneth P. Cohen, vice president for public affairs, Exxon Mobil Corporation, and chairman, ExxonMobil Foundation. "These donations provide universities throughout the nation an opportunity to enhance their current educational programs and to achieve new levels of excellence."

About Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College is a private, four-year arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Centenary is one of 16 colleges and universities constituting the Associated Colleges of the South and is regularly rated as one of the top colleges in the South. In 2008 Centenary College celebrates 100 years in Shreveport and Bossier City.