Toyota Financial Services Donates $10,000 to DSU

In honor of the life and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Toyota Financial Services (TFS) announced Jan. 16 that it has made a donation of $10,000 to Delaware State University as part of a total of $50,000 the automobile producer awarded to five Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs).
 
In addition to DSU, Toyota Financial Services also presented $10,000 each to four other HBCUs – Bowie State University, Howard University, Morehouse College and Morgan State University. All five institutions are recognized by TFS as providers of exceptional educational opportunities within many of the communities in which TFS operates.

DSU President Harry L. Williams traveled to TFS’s site in Owings Mills, Md., to join representatives of the other schools in celebrating the generosity of Toyota. The DSU president noted that Toyota’s financial support is in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as its donation helps students perpetuate the great civil rights leader’s dream for all generations of students.

“Such support is so vitally important for our students at DSU as well as the other HBCUs,” said Dr. Williams. “This donation from Toyota enhances our efforts to keep our students on track to fulfill their academic and professional aspirations.”
 
Mike Groff, TSF president and CEO, said that Dr. King observed that “Education must enable a man to become more efficient, to achieve with increasing facility the legitimate goals of life.” Mr. Groff said TSF’s donations help further the principles Dr. King championed and are consistent with TFS’ deeply held commitment to diversity and inclusion,

“TFS is honored to support the mission of HBCUs and the dreams they help make possible,” the TFS president said.
“In the years since we launched our Making Life Easier program to support education initiatives, after-school programs and financial literacy among underserved youth, TFS has provided millions of dollars in scholarships to deserving students across the nation and our associates have devoted their time and talents to many meaningful national- and community-based programs,” noted John Ridgeway, corporate manager, Customer Service Center - East for TFS, who presented the donations to each institution on behalf of the company. “As an extension of our existing relationship with HBCUs, including a partnership with the Toyota Green Initiative, we believe our contribution to these fine institutions will help them with the critical task of addressing issues that impact student retention and will help create a bright future for the populations they serve.”

Mr. Ridgeway is also a DSU alumnus who earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1975 from then-Delaware State College.
 
TFS has been recognized for its longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion, including being named as a DiversityInc Top 50 company for six years in a row and has been consistently recognized by other related publication as a best company for diversity and best places to work.  For more information about Toyota's commitment to diversity and inclusion, please visit www.toyota.com/diversity.