Atlanta Tech student fund gets $25K donation

National footwear retailer Designer Shoe Warehouse has joined the campaign to support Atlanta Technical College 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, Atlanta Tech shifted to a digital learning environment as the pandemic shut down states. The change from a classroom setting to an online platform created an additional challenge for many of its 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 President 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 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 Oct. 1.

The Hank Aaron 755 Society was established by baseball Hall of Famer Henry “Hank” Aaron and wife Billye Aaron to support Atlanta Tech’s mission.

Information on Hank Aaron 755 Society: atlantatech.edu/ hankaaron755society

Information on donating DSW reward points: dsw.com/en/us/ content/give-a-pair