Wells Fargo presents donation to Coker College Annual Fund
Pictured (left to right): Jack Marchette, Vice President of Pee Dee Market and Business Banking Relationship Manager; Johnna Shirley, Coker College Director of Annual Funds and Planned Giving; Susan Bankson, Community Affairs Officer; John D. Bankson, Jr., NE SC Business Banking Manager.
The Wells Fargo Foundation has presented a check of $7,500 to the Coker College Annual Fund. This latest gift is one of several ways the foundation has shown support to Coker in recent years.
“At a place like Coker, support from community partners is invaluable,” said Robert Wyatt, president of Coker. “Wells Fargo has a history of giving back to the community, and we’re honored that they see the value of our institution and choose to continue investing in our students.”
“Wells Fargo is committed to the communities we serve and delighted to support Coker College,” said John Bankson, Wells Fargo’s Northeast South Carolina market president. “Our goal is to help build strong communities and make a positive difference, and our commitment to Coker does just that.”
Coker’s Annual Fund provides more than $450,000 each year to Coker students through scholarships. In the past two years, Wells Fargo has donated more than $50,000 total to Coker College. Last year, Wells Fargo also partnered with Coker to create the Wells Fargo Summer Business Academy, a week-long business program for high school students held on Coker’s campus.
The Summer Business Academy targets rising high school seniors with a record of achievement and a demonstrated interest in business. Students participating in the academy have the opportunity to spend a week on Coker’s campus learning about topics such as marketing, management and entrepreneurship from college faculty members, regional executives, small business owners, entrepreneurs and student mentors. Participants earn three hours college credit for completing the course. The second annual Summer Business Academy is scheduled to take place June 15-19, 2015.
“We are so appreciative of our long-standing relationship with our friends at Wells Fargo,” said Johnna Shirley, director of annual funds and planned giving at Coker. “Their focus on education and their generosity has made a difference in the lives of our students and on Coker’s campus for many years.”
“We fully believe that supporting education is one of the most important investments we can make in our country’s future,” said Jack Marchette, Wells Fargo’s Northeast South Carolina Business Banking relationship manager. “We are honored to work together with educational organizations like Coker College to help create a competitive workforce and a sustainable economy for generations to come.”
