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Date:		April 19, 2018
Contact:		David Mance, Media Relations Coordinator, 509-865-0731 or mance_d@heritage.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Costco Co-Founder’s Foundation Selects First Cohort of Five Scholarship Recipients

Toppenish, Wash. –  The Sinegal Family Foundation, started by Costco co-founder Jim Sinegal, has selected five students who will comprise the first cohort of Sinegal Scholars at Heritage University. These five students will receive the Sinegal Family Foundation Scholarship, which includes full-tuition, fees and a $500 stipend for books. This cohort will also enjoy regular mentoring opportunities with the Costco/Heritage team including Jim Sinegal himself.

The recipients and the schools they represent are Yuli Guzman, AC Davis High School; Juan Mendoza Mendoza, AC Davis High School; Lizbeth Morales Perez, Toppenish High School; Maritza Alvarez, Grandview High School; and Brayan Torres, Heritage University.

Yuli Guzman says college is now a possibility for her thanks to the Sinegal Scholarship. “This scholarship is a huge relief for me and my family,” said Guzman. “I was on the verge of not being able to get an education because of money.”

Brayan Torres was thrilled to learn that his hard work paid off. “Winning the scholarship is great,” said Torres. I can now focus my attention completely on my classes and opportunities to further my education.”

A $1.14 million donation by the Sinegal Family Foundation to Heritage University last year will provide scholarships for five students each year for four years of study.  By year four of the program, there will be a cohort of 20 Sinegal scholars on campus. Sinegal and his wife Jan are excited about the opportunities students will have through these scholarships, and are thrilled to help Heritage University continue its mission of serving students and developing outstanding graduates.

The five recipients were selected by a panel which included Sinegal and a Costco management team made up of Heritage University graduates. The process of narrowing the field to five recipients was extremely difficult. “The students selected presented themselves exceptionally well,” said Jim Sinegal. “We are enthusiastic to work with them in the coming years, and are looking forward to watching them grow academically and experientially.”

For more information, contact David Wise, VP of University Advancement and Marketing at (509) 865-0717 or wise_d@heritage.edu.

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Heritage University is a non-profit, independent, regionally accredited institution of higher education offering undergraduate and graduate education across the state of Washington. Visit our website, www.heritage.edu