Burger King Corporation names Greg Raines of Elon College a Division I-AA College Football Scholar Athlete.
In honor of his outstanding athletic and academic achievements and his commitment to mentoring the community’s youth, Burger King Corporation has donated $10,000 to Elon College’s general scholarship fund in Greg’s name. The award will be presented by Burger King Franchisee Celeste Fortune and school representatives during Saturday’s home football game against the University of New Haven. Developed to foster the pursuit of athletic and academic excellence while encouraging social awareness and community service, the Burger King College Football Scholarship Program is the largest corporate commitment of its kind to college football. The awarding of these scholarships is based on academic achievement, dedication to community service and athletic ability. Now in its fifth year, the program has already donated $4.3 million dollars in college scholarship funds to 211 colleges and universities nationwide. The 1999 program will raise the overall Burger King contribution to $5.3 million.
“These athletes serve as outstanding role models of achievement in the classroom, on the football field and in their communities,” says Richard Taylor, vice president of marketing services at Burger King Corporation. “We are proud to honor these young people who have truly applied themselves in school and still found the time to remain actively involved with helping others.”
Greg Raines, is a senior who has maintained a 3.7 GPA, has earned is business degree and is currently completing his MBA while starting as an offensive guard for Elon’s football team. In addition to his academic and athletic endeavors, Raines is also a volunteer and serves on his team’s leadership committee, where he is active in team service projects, including the Adopt-A-Highway program.
Each week throughout the 10-week program, Burger King Corporation will name eight scholar athlete award winners, two from each division. In recognition of each scholar athlete’s achievements, Burger King Corporation will donate $10,000 in the athlete’s name to his school’s general scholarship fund. Four of these winners, one from each college football division, will be selected as finalists for the 1999 Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year award and garner an additional $25,000 for his school. The Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year award honors the nation’s top scholar athlete in college football. In cognition of the Scholar Athlete of the Year, Burger King Corporation will set up a $100,000 scholarship endowment at the school of the honored winner. The winner of the 1999 Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year award will be announced in December. Last year’s recipient was Josh Penry from Mesa State College who since graduating has become press secretary for a member of the Arizona House of Representatives. Peyton Manning from the University of Tennessee was the first Burger King Scholar Athlete of the Year in 1997 and is now playing in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts.