Verizon has awarded a $9,000 grant to Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) in Waxahachie, Texas, to provide scholarships for Education students who plan on becoming elementary teachers. SAGU prepares undergraduate and graduate students spiritually, academically, professionally, and cross-culturally so as to provide quality educational and professional service in the community and throughout the world.

The grant from Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, will enable the university to provide $1,000 scholarships for three semesters to three students majoring in Elementary Education who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The three scholarship recipients are Leah Richardson, Quintessa Davidson, and Rachel Mayes. This grant will support SAGU’s commitment to provide teachers and education workers in the local community to better serve students and parents in places of education.

“Verizon is a strong supporter of education and literacy and these teachers are often the first literacy instructor for elementary students,” said David Russell, Verizon Vice President of External Affairs. “We are pleased to partner with Southwestern Assemblies of God University to provide financial support to future early childhood teachers.”

The Verizon Foundation is committed to improving literacy and K-12 education; fostering awareness and prevention of domestic violence; and promoting the use of technology in healthcare delivery. In 2006, the foundation awarded more than $69 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also matched charitable donations from Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $29 million in combined contributions. Under the foundation’s Verizon Volunteer initiative, one the nation’s largest employee-volunteer programs, company employees and retirees have also contributed nearly three million hours of community service since Verizon’s inception in 2000.