BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Business scholarship students met the donors behind their awards at the school's 2009 Scholarship Luncheon Monday, Oct. 5 at The Club.

"This was a chance for students to connect with the generous UAB School of Business supporters who are helping our students realize their dreams of graduating with a UAB degree," said Stacy Gay, the School of Business development officer.

More than 100 student award winners and 50 scholarship donors, some representing Birmingham's largest corporations, attended the event. Some 150 business student scholarships were announced this academic year.

Gay says that despite a struggling economy, the Birmingham business community graciously offered more than $340,000 in scholarships to aid students who in many cases would otherwise be unable to pay for college.

"Being located in the heart of Birmingham, the School of Business shares a unique connection to the local business community, and that connection certainly played an important role in securing these generous donations for our UAB students at a time when the economy is impacting the bottom line everywhere," Gay said.

"We also were very excited this year to extend our first Opportunities in Business scholarships, a program that was developed by David Klock, Ph.D., dean of the School of Business," Gay said. "These scholarships are diversity-focused and targeted students from a wide-range of backgrounds."

About UAB

The UAB School of Business is located in the heart of Alabama's largest city and business center. For more information on how the school's Birmingham location provides unique internship and other out-of-the-classroom experiences, log on to http://www.uab.edu/business/.