California American Water Funds American River College Scholarship

California American Water has gifted a new $1,000 annual scholarship to American River College through the California Community Colleges Scholarship Endowment, a $70-million fund that benefits two-year colleges throughout the state.

The endowment fund was gifted by the Bernard Osher Foundation in 2008 to benefit California community college students in all fields of study. It was the single largest gift ever received by a community college system.

California community colleges were then tasked with raising enough money to match Osher’s commitment in order to establish a $100-million total endowment. Due to its size, American River College received one of the largest initial payouts but was also left with the daunting task of matching the $1-million gift bestowed to the school. The college has been reaching out to individuals and local businesses for help.

California American Water answered the call by contributing a scholarship that will award $1,000 per year to students enrolled in the college’s natural resources program – which has recently experienced significant enrollment growth.

“While ARC has offered a natural resources program for more than a decade, in recent years the number of enrolled students has grown considerably,” said Dean of the Science and Engineering Department Dr. Rina Roy. “This scholarship speaks directly to that growth, and our students’ need to fund their studies as the cost of higher education has risen.”

The scholarship is more than just an investment in higher-education. It’s also an investment in an increasingly important field of expertise that is now in high demand within the water industry.

“We are proud to support our local college and the next generation of working professionals,” said California American Water president Rob MacLean. “This investment is targeted at promising students looking to get into the exciting and important field of protecting and managing our natural resources.”

The Bernard Osher Foundation, headquartered in San Francisco, was founded in 1977 by Bernard Osher, a respected businessman and community leader. The Foundation seeks to improve quality of life through support for higher education and the arts.

The Osher Initiative for California Community College Students will provide up to $70 million in endowed funds to support scholarship programs dedicated to California’s Community College students. An initial gift of $25 million, along with an additional pledge of $25 million in matching funds, has launched the California Community Colleges Scholarship Endowment.

American River College is a public community college granting certificates and associate degrees. Although the college serves people from a variety of geographical areas, it primarily serves the adult residents of the five-county Greater Sacramento region who are capable of benefiting from community college instruction.

California American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE:AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 600,000 people.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 16 million people in 35 states, as well as Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.