Kimberly-Clark announced its 2018 Bright Futures Scholarship Program has awarded $1.2 million in college scholarships to 60 children of Kimberly-Clark employees in 17 U.S. states. Recipients were chosen based on academic achievement, leadership, work experience and involvement in extracurricular activities.

Marking its 26th year, the Bright Futures program provides scholarship grants worth up to $20,000, or $5,000 per school year, for full-time students attending accredited colleges and universities. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $40 million in scholarships to more than 2000 students.

“Each year, the selection committee for the Bright Futures scholarship program is impressed by the deep commitment to academic excellence and community service demonstrated by these students,” says Tom Falk, chairman and CEO of Kimberly-Clark. “We believe these scholarships are an important investment in our next generation of leaders, and we are proud to help these young people take the next step as they pursue their goals.”

The average GPA for this year’s scholarship class is 3.96, and awardees will attend such top colleges and universities as Brown University, Duke University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Wisconsin and Yale University.  Past scholarship recipients have gone on to pursue successful careers in medicine, education, the armed forces and engineering.

“I grew up inspired by the work of my father, and today, I’m proud that I have an opportunity to work with him at Kimberly-Clark and give back to the company that helped me to earn my degree from the University of Wisconsin,” says Levi Vandenboogart, a 2008 Bright Futures scholarship recipient who is now lead scientist for Kimberly-Clark on its adult and feminine care brands. “The support made a big difference for me, and I know it will for this year’s class of scholars as they work to achieve their dreams.”