July 20, 2020
Funds Provide Gap Support for Students Impacted by Global Pandemic
[Atlanta, GA] National footwear retailer, Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW), has joined the campaign to support Atlanta Technical College (ATC) students during these unprecedented times. DSW’s $25,000 donation will fund ATC’s Hank Aaron 755 Society—a student success fund established in February 2020 to provide gap funding and emergency financial assistance.
Three months ago, ATC shifted to a digital learning environment as the global pandemic shut down states across the nation. The change from a classroom setting to an online platform created an additional challenge for many of ATC’s students. “The coronavirus was not just a health crisis, but, for many of our students, it also became a financial one that jeopardized their educational path,” said ATC President Dr. Victoria Seals. “Immediately following the closing of our campus, our phones started to ring with students sharing a range of financial needs after being laid off or furloughed from places of employment.”
DSW’s contribution will provide immediate support for currently enrolled students. In addition to financial needs, this fund will also support technological needs of students who find themselves without a reliable computer or dependable internet access.
The designer retail footwear giant is also encouraging its DSW VIP rewards members to “gift” accumulated rewards to support ATC’s Hank Aaron 755 Society. DSW VIP members can contribute their rewards now through October 1, 2020.
“Designer Brands is committed to supporting the Black community with meaningful gifts and purposeful actions, and we are proud to support Hank Aaron’s 755 Society in its mission,” said DSW’s Chief Marketing Officer Amy Stevenson. “We are also thrilled to allow DSW’s customers to participate by donating their DSW VIP rewards to the fund. There is no greater gift than education, and we are honored to play a role in furthering this important work.”
“This generous contribution from DSW will serve as a catalyst for transformative, life-changing support for our students who may find themselves at a financial cross-roads in life,” said Dr. Seals. “The support from DSW and the Aaron family continues to propel the next generation of leaders, essential workers, and modern-day heroes into a bright and successful future.”
The Hank Aaron 755 Society was established by retired Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Henry “Hank” Aaron and wife Billye Aaron to support ATC’s mission to transform lives and communities through workforce development.
For more information on ATC’s Hank Aaron 755 Society and to donate, click here. DSW VIP members can donate reward points here.
ABOUT ATLANTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Atlanta Technical College is a vibrant part of the Technical College System of Georgia and was named its College of the Year in 2012. Prior to that, the college was selected as America’s Best Community College by Washington Monthly magazine. Most recently, Atlanta Technical College has been ranked one of the best in the nation for online courses and programs. In 2017, Atlanta Technical College celebrated 50 years of serving the City of Atlanta along with Fulton and Clayton Counties. For more information on Atlanta Technical College and its 150 programs, visit www.atlantatech.edu.
ABOUT DSW
DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse is a leading branded footwear and accessories retailer offering a wide selection of brand name and designer dress, casual and athletic footwear and accessories for women, men and kids. DSW operates more than 500 locations in 44 states and operates a robust ecommerce website at www.dsw.com, a mobile site at m.dsw.com and via mobile app. Founded in 1991, DSW is a division of Columbus, Ohio-based Designer Brands Inc.
