WASHINGTON–The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) honored three leaders and their companies at its third annual awards dinner, “Today’s Minds, Tomorrow’s Future” Gala, on October 30 at the New York Hilton.

The leaders were J. Alexander M. (Sandy) Douglas, Jr., president of Coca-Cola, North America; Bill Imada, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, IW Group, Inc.; and Don Thompson, President, McDonald’s USA.

Douglas and Thompson both received the APIASF Excellence in Education Award for their company’s long-standing commitment and support of higher education. Imada received the APIASF Inspiring Dreams Award for being the visionary whose leadership, enthusiasm and dedication led to the eventual formation of APIASF.

APIASF, based here, is the country’s largest non-profit organization devoted solely to providing scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. APIASF also manages the Gates Millennium Scholars/Asian Pacific Islander Americans (GMS/APIA).

The gala is APIASF’s only fundraising event during the year. All net proceeds go towards APIASF’s vital mission: To insure that as many Asian and Pacific Islander American students as possible have the opportunity to pursue a higher education.

This year, APIASF distributed 285 scholarships of $2,500 each to high school seniors, bringing the total amount the organization has distributed since its inception in 2004 to over $1.8 million. Of those students receiving scholarships this year, 84% were first in their families to attend college and 63% came from underserved communities. The scholars represented 35 of the 50 U.S. States, Micronesia and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the majority of them had a grade point average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale.

Past and present APIASF scholars shared their aspirations and thanked the generous sponsors. Sanjaya Malakar, American Idol Season 6 Finalist, also made a special guest appearance.

Board of Directors Chair Wai-Ling said, “APIASF is delighted to continue the tradition of honoring corporations and individuals who keep higher education at the forefront. We are proud to be recognizing these gentlemen for their commitment and support of APIASF, and for helping to further the education of our future leaders in the Asian and Pacific Islander American community.”

The presenting sponsors were McDonald’s USA and the Asian McDonald’s Operators Association. Other major sponsors/gala co-chairs were Abercrombie & Fitch, AT&T, ING, Nationwide, USA Funds, Coca-Cola North America, FedEx Corporation, IBM, Macy’s and the United States Navy Diversity Directorate. The evening also featured a silent auction.