Denny’s makes major donation to Tom Joyner Foundation to fund Food Science and Hospitality Management Scholarship for HBCU students

DALLAS, TX (BlackNews.com) — Denny’s has donated $25,000 to the Tom Joyner Foundation to help students pursuing food science and hospitality management degrees at several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) achieve their educational goals.

“I’m really thrilled that Denny’s has gone beyond just stepping up to the plate to help these students fulfill their dreams of completing a college education – and majoring in a subject they love,” said Tom Joyner, chairman of the 14-year-old Foundation and host of the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show aired in more than 100 markets reaching 8 million listeners. “This is a great opportunity for these students and for my Foundation that’s been grounded in my love for black colleges.”

John Miller, president and chief executive officer of Denny’s, said, “Denny’s has been a longtime supporter of the Tom Joyner Foundation and an advocate for African American students working toward their educational goals. We are proud to provide $25,000 to these ambitious students who are the future leaders of our industry.”

Of the donation, $10,000 will be divided equally amongst four students majoring in food science and hospitality management at the current HBCU they are attending. The winners are:

* Kelsey Brumfield of Newport News, Va., a junior majoring in recreation and tourism at Hampton University, Hampton, Va.

* Chase Davis of Conyers, Ga., a junior majoring in food and nutrition management at South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, S.C.

* Britteny Junious of Charlotte, N.C., a junior majoring in food science at North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro, N.C.

* Lillian Mosley of Macon, Ga., a junior majoring in food and nutrition at Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Ga.

Each of the students already has big plans after graduation. Davis of South Carolina State says, “While I am attending culinary school, my plan is to develop a curriculum and run a series of Youth Culinary Cooking Camps.” Mosley of Fort Valley State, a single mom of two daughters who has been a licensed cosmetologist, wants to stop the cycle of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease in her family and the African American community. “I plan to teach community members how to eat healthier and to live more productive lives,” she says.

Junious of Fort Valley State says she is planning to head to graduate school to become a food chemist. “I want to study the microbiology of food and explore ways to make food healthier with fewer preservatives and additives, which I believe may be harmful to some people,” she says. Blumfield of Hampton says after graduate school she is planning to become a director of youth development programs.

The additional $15,000 will be used to provide scholarships to selected students at Florida Memorial University (FMU).

“We are very pleased to learn of Denny’s renewed commitment to students at HBCUs across the nation,” said FMU President Henry Lewis III. “We are especially pleased that Denny’s gift will provide assistance to our single-parent students and those who are dually enrolled in the hospitality management program. Many thanks to Denny’s.”

About the Tom Joyner Morning Show

The nation’s #1 syndicated urban morning show, which airs in more than 105 markets reaching nearly 8 million listeners, has distinguished itself over the years as continuously giving back to its audience with quality programming, highly popular promotions, special events and philanthropy. Since 2004, Joyner has awarded millions in cash and prizes to contest winners and his Foundation has raised more than $65 million to help keep students in historically black colleges and universities. The Morning Show with co-hosts Sybil Wilkes, J. Anthony Brown and senior news analyst Roland Martin, also features “Inside Her Story” with Jacque Reid; political commentary from Stephanie Robinson and Jeff Johnson; and celebrity news with Kevin Frazier, as well as comedic observations from D.L. Hughley and the Celebrity Snitch Huggy Lowdown. Joyner’s website, www.BlackAmericaWeb.com, has more than 1.5 million registered users and delivers news with exclusive reports from award winning journalists and unprecedented political coverage as well as interactive elements with on demand audio.

About Denny’s Corp.

Denny’s is one of America’s largest full-service family restaurant chains, currently operating 1,680 franchised, licensed, and company-owned restaurants across the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Honduras, Guam, Curacao, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and New Zealand. For further information on Denny’s, including news releases, please visit the Denny’s website at www.dennys.com.

Photo Caption: John Miller, president and chief executive officer of Denny’s, presented a $25,000 check to Tom Joyner, the nationally syndicated radio personality who also is chairman and founder of the Tom Joyner Foundation. The funds will be used to provide scholarships to students pursuing food science and hospitality management degrees at several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).