College dreams are about to come true for local high school students who want to attend University of the Pacific, thanks to a generous $100,000 gift from A.G. Spanos Cos. to establish the Stockton Scholars Endowed Fund.

"We are grateful to the Spanos family for this extraordinary investment in Stockton's youth," said Pacific President Pamela A. Eibeck. "We understand that the long-term economic health and vibrancy of our community hinges on a well-educated youth and we are proud to stand with Mayor Michael Tubbs and the Spanos family in affirming that every Stockton student has a right to a college education."

The fund is part of a partnership with Stockton Scholars, a citywide initiative that supports Stockton students pursuing educational opportunities after high school, and will support Leading with Purpose: The Campaign for University of the Pacific, a historic fundraising effort to enhance resources for Pacific students and the community.

"We are proud to support a program that will help many young students from our community take advantage of the opportunity to attend this great university. Through this new partnership between Stockton Scholars and University of the Pacific, we are taking another step in offering hope for the future to graduating seniors," said Michael Spanos, president of the AG Spanos Cos.

Stockton Scholars is a scholarship program initiated by Tubbs that launched in January. The program aims to triple the number of Stockton students who enter and graduate from college over the next decade with a significant number returning to live and work in the community.

"I am incredibly grateful for the support of the Spanos family and our partnership with University of the Pacific," said Tubbs.  "We know that talent is equally disbursed, but opportunity is not. Together, we are working to improve access and opportunity for all of our youth."

The Spanos contribution sets in motion the Powell Match, the university's gift matching program that doubles any contribution made to an endowment at Pacific. The Spanos family is encouraging community members to donate to the Stockton Scholars Fund at Pacific to expand support for qualified students to attend the university. In light of Faye Spanos' passing in early August, the family has also indicated that those who wish to honor the beloved matriarch of the Spanos family, who generously supported Pacific students throughout her lifetime, may also contribute to the fund.

Starting in 2019, scholarships of up to $1,000 will be awarded annually to qualified students from Stockton Unified School District who meet Pacific's admission requirements. Additionally, students will be required to have lived in Stockton for at least the past two years and complete a federal student aid application. Students may be eligible to receive this award for a maximum of four years.

"Stockton Scholars is about building a citywide college-going culture, and to do that we must expand the pathways for local students to attend Pacific," said Lange Luntao, director of Stockton Scholars and executive director of the Reinvent Stockton Foundation. "We are grateful to the Spanos family for their generosity and vision. Stockton students deserve an investment of this magnitude in their education."

For donation information: Scott Biedermann | Associate Vice President, Development and Alumni Relations | 209.946.2166
For Stockton Scholars information: Lange Luntao | RSF Executive Director/Stockton Scholars Director | 209.298.1026
Media contact: Keith Michaud | 209.946.3275 (office) | 209.470.3206 (cell) | kmichaud@pacific.edu