Verizon Awards Scholarships to Computer-Engineering Students at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - For the fourth year in a row, Verizon has awarded $5,000 scholarships to 10 first-year computer-engineering students at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. A total of 40 students will take part in the Verizon International Scholarship program for the 2004-2005 academic year.

The scholarships, provided by the Verizon International Foundation, will be renewable each year of the university's five-year undergraduate program in computer engineering.

Daniel C. Petri, president of Verizon International; Cristina Lambert, president and CEO of Puerto Rico Telephone, a Verizon affiliate; and Antonio Garcia-Padilla, president of the University of Puerto Rico, attended a luncheon ceremony yesterday honoring this year's recipients.

"Verizon's scholarship program not only strengthens the university's mission to offer affordable education, it helps to ensure Puerto Rico will develop a pool of highly qualified engineers," said Garcia-Padilla.

The scholarships, when combined with federal grants that the students also receive, will pay for the full cost of a student's annual tuition, room and board, transportation and textbooks.

"Verizon International is pleased to continue to invest in the future of these talented students because we know we are also investing in Puerto Rico's future," said Petri. "The scholarships are part of Verizon's commitment to foster the development of technical professionals in Puerto Rico, and we salute our scholarship winners for their achievements."

This year's scholarship recipients are: Michelle Almodovar, Marines Chaparro, Manuel Ferrerira, Johann Lugo, Manuel Maldonado, Francis Maldonado, Abigail Medina, Miguel Rios, MariCarmen Torres, and Juan G. Vazquez.

"Verizon International and PRT support educational programs that help to develop a strong and competent work force," said Lambert. "Verizon's scholarship program clearly will increase the number of highly qualified professionals, and what better way to achieve this goal than through the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez."

Verizon owns 52 percent of Puerto Rico Telephone, which is the largest provider of telecommunication services in Puerto Rico.

To qualify for the Verizon International Scholarship program, an applicant must have a 3.0 grade point average or better, demonstrate financial need, be enrolled in the university's five-year computer-engineering degree program, and be a native of Puerto Rico or have completed high school in Puerto Rico.

The Verizon International Scholarship Program was established in 2001. To date, the program has provided 40 scholarships totaling $500,000 over four years. Verizon has a similar scholarship program in the Dominican Republic in collaboration with its affiliate there, Verizon Dominicana.

The Verizon International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon International, supports a variety of educational and economic initiatives that focus on literacy, work force and community technology development. The foundation is committed to improving the quality of life of the communities served by Verizon and its international affiliates. For more information, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

Verizon Communications

A Dow 30 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $68 billion in annual revenues. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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