SALT LAKE CITY (February 3, 2015) – The Utah Jazz and CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) today announced an affiliation with STEM Utah to recognize outstanding K-12 students in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.
Two students each month from February through April will be selected for STEM Innovation, known as STEMi Awards. Honored students will receive four tickets to a Jazz home game, a personalized jersey and in-game recognition at EnergySolutions Arena.
The first winner -- Lynae Herndon, an eighth-grade student at Beehive Science and Technology Academy in Sandy, Utah -- will be honored at the Feb. 4 Jazz home game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
CenturyLink will also make a $10,000 donation to STEM Utah in a special presentation on March 28 when the Jazz play at home against Oklahoma City. Funding will support STEM Utah’s efforts to promote the best educational practices in math and science studies that align with industry needs and support Utah’s long-term economic prosperity.
“CenturyLink admires student’s exemplary achievements in areas of science, technology, engineering and math through academic excellence,” said Jeremy Ferkin, CenturyLink’s vice president of operations for Utah. “We are proud to partner with the Utah Jazz to recognize and support these exceptional students.”
“CenturyLink and the Utah Jazz are strong proponents of the importance of education, and have partnered through the years on programs that recognize educators and students and support local schools,” said Randy Rigby, president of the Utah Jazz. “This program is particularly exciting to highlight the STEMS areas of study.”
For the STEMi Awards, students can be nominated by teachers and school administrators and will be selected by a STEM Utah panel of industry, education and government representatives. Awards will be based on students excelling or significantly improving in science, technology, engineering or math. Additional criteria includes participation in STEM programs.