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A grocery chain with South Texas roots has pitched in for the University of Houston-Victoria program that offers a three-year bachelor�s degree.

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H-E-B, through its Tournament of Champions community investment program, donated $25,000 to the UHV Degree in Three, in which freshmen can enroll on a fast-track program for a full 120-credit-hour bachelor�s degree.

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Shelley Parks, director of public affairs, said H-E-B provides funds for charitable projects and programs that have a positive impact on communities in which the retailer operates.

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�H-E-B is proud to be the founding sponsor for the Degree in Three program,� Parks said. �This is an innovative program that will allow college students an opportunity to learn at a faster pace and with the support of a group of peers that will create relationships that will last a lifetime.�

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Amy Mundy, UHV�s director of corporate and foundation relations, said the additional financial assistance is a boost for the first class of UHV freshmen who enrolled in the Dn3 program.

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�This is a huge deal for the students enrolled in the Dn3 program,� Mundy said. �Taking more classes in the Dn3 saves the students money over the course of their degree. And by offering scholarships that cover tuition, fees and books, students who believe a university education is too expensive and might not otherwise attend college will have the opportunity to do so.�

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UHV�s Degree in Three, or Dn3 program, is the first three-year bachelor�s program in the state offered at a public university. Six students enrolled in the program this fall and more are expected in the spring. The students benefiting from the grant will be known as the H-E-B Dn3 Scholars.

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Jeffrey Di Leo, dean of the UHV School of Arts & Sciences, said he appreciated H-E-B�s donation which helps the university achieve its goal of improving the education level and employability throughout the Coastal Bend region.

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�The Degree in Three program at UHV is another education option for students and it helps get them into the workforce at a quicker pace,� Di Leo said. �This is the first donation from H-E-B to the university and we hope to establish a long-term partnership with this retailer that is very familiar with this area and its people.�

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