JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA (September 13, 2019) – Edward Waters College (EWC), the state of Florida’s first independent institution of higher learning, as well as, Florida’s first institution established for the education of African-Americans, announced they have partnered with Kelly Tours, Inc. The strategic partnership is valued at $100,000 and this investment will support student scholarships, the expansion of the College’s brand by way of an EWC graphic designed 45-foot motorcoach, and the enhancement of the College’s transportation fleet.

“The strategic partnership with Kelly Tours is consistent with our vision of engendering a culture of institutional philanthropic support and establishing the Edward Waters brand as a best-in-class institution of distinction and Emerging Eminence. Furthermore, at EWC, we want to create beneficial partnerships with companies that are going to make a quantifiable investment into our college and the lives of our students. Kelly Tours has stepped up to the plate by sowing a substantial bequest and for that reason we are grateful,” said 30th President and CEO, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr.

Kelly Tours, Inc. is a provider of group tours and transportation for a wide range of travelers including students, senior citizens, churches, family reunions, civic organizations and college athletic and student groups for the past 20 years. “This has been a strategic plan that we’ve tried to work on for a while and thank God we were finally able to establish this because of Dr. Faison’s vision of progression for EWC,” said Phillip Gammon, Kelly Tours Group Travel Specialist and Representative.

This partnership will directly support Edward Waters College trajectory towards Emerging Eminence by providing a high quality transportation fleet to students and faculty members for athletics and other college related events. The first excursion on the newly branded bus will take place September 14, 2019, as Edward Waters College football team challenges Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

When the EWC branded motorcoach is not in use by the College, Kelly Tours will make the motorcoach available to other travelers. “When other groups are traveling throughout the United States of America, guess what they will see…EWC! This is a great tool for recruitment and exposure of our brand throughout the country.” said President Faison.

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About Edward Waters College
Edward Waters College (EWC), accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and member of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), is a private, historically black, urban college which offers a liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the Christian principles of high moral and spiritual values. EWC was established in 1866 and is an African Methodist Episcopal Church-related institution of learning. It is the first private institution of higher education in the State of Florida