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Delta Foundation Makes $50,000 Commitment in Coretta Scott King’s Name to Support Education


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Antioch College also receives $250,000 in donated travel support

ATLANTA, Feb. 13, 2005 – The Delta Air Lines Foundation, a company-managed giving system that is a separate entity from Delta Air Lines, will honor the late Coretta Scott King and her work in promoting peace and social justice by providing college scholarships through the Coretta Scott King/Delta Air Lines Scholarship at her alma mater, Antioch College, in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

The widow of civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lent her support to democracy movements worldwide and served as a consultant on nonviolence to many world leaders. She was responsible for developing the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta after his death in 1968. She also led the charge to establish a national holiday on his birthday, Jan. 15.

“We are honored to partner with Antioch College in continuing Mrs. King’s legacy,” said Lee Macenczak, executive vice president and chief of customer service. “This scholarship fund will provide students at Antioch a valuable opportunity to further their academic goals and fulfill their dreams while continuing the important work started by Mrs. King.”

In line with a family request for contributions in her honor to be made to Antioch, the $10,000 annual scholarship will be awarded to high achieving academic students from underprivileged communities on or before her birthday on April 27 for the next five years.

The Coretta Scott King/Delta Air Lines Scholarship is in conjunction with supporting the work provided through the newly established Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural & Intellectual Freedom, which focuses its efforts on applied ethics, including the philosophy of human rights and equality.

Additional in-kind support of $50,000 a year for five years will provide travel on Delta Air Lines for fulfilling students’ undergraduate public service requirements and expanding advocacy for efforts in civil rights and human rights around the world. The Foundation’s gift also will provide travel for college symposium participants conducting lectures related to King’s work.

“Antioch College is very gratified to receive this gift from Delta Air Lines in support of scholarships and travel funds,” said Dr. Steven W. Lawry, president of Antioch College. “This very generous support will allow us to continue to honor Mrs. King’s legacy by helping prepare its graduates for lives of public service.”

King, who visited her alma mater often, said in the 1993 edition of her autobiography, “My Life with Martin Luther King Jr.,” that Antioch was responsible for providing “an increased understanding of my own personal worth.”

“Mrs. King’s pursuit of freedom, fairness, equality and non-violent social change is inspirational,” said Scarlet Pressley-Brown, general manager of Delta’s Global Diversity and Community Affairs division. “This scholarship gives Antioch students an opportunity to direct their college and professional careers in areas that continue her vision.”

The Delta Air Lines Foundation, established in 1968 as Delta’s company-managed giving system, is a non-stock corporation (there are members, no stockholders). A separate entity from Delta Air Lines Inc., the Foundation has historically contributed approximately $3 million annually in endowed funds to charities, deserving organizations, and educational programs. While the Foundation has streamlined its giving to non-profit organizations based on returns from the Foundations current investments, it allows for giving at a modest level.

Delta Air Lines (Other OTC: DALRQ) is one of the world’s fastest growing international carriers with more than 50 new international routes added or announced in the last year. Delta offers daily flights to 503 destinations in 94 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers and its worldwide partners. In summer 2006, Delta plans to offer customers more destinations and departures between the U.S., Europe, India and Israel than any global airline, including service on 11 new transatlantic routes from its Atlanta and New York-JFK hubs. Delta also is a major carrier to Mexico, South and Central America and the Caribbean, with more than 35 routes announced, added or applied to serve since Jan. 1, 2005. Delta’s marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 14,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.



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