GEICO Honors Outstanding Students from Area Colleges

LAKELAND, Fla., Nov. 10 -- Seven local college students will be receiving GEICO Achievement Awards on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003 at the company's Lakeland regional office. The seven are:

  Tracy Sells               University of South Florida
  Bryan Eldredge            Southeastern College
  Farrah Shultz             Florida Southern College
  Jefferey Lackey           University of Tampa
  Ashley Stevens            Hillsborough Community College
  Jeremy Byrd               Webber International University
  Mary Elizabeth Anders     University of Central Florida

GEICO's Achievement Awards recognize outstanding college students who are pursuing insurance or business studies. Cash awards in the amount of $500 for community college students and $1,000 for four-year college students will be given.

"GEICO's Achievement Award Scholarships honor the accomplishments of young people who will be entering this industry one day," said Regional Vice President George Rogers of the Lakeland office. "We want to encourage the contributions of our future leaders."

The awards are given annually to a sophomore or junior enrolled in an institution near the company's regional offices, although the Lakeland office has added an additional criterion that the student be a graduate of a high school within a 100 mile radius of the Florida location. Each recipient is nominated by his or her department head on the basis of above-average scholastic achievement and involvement in extra-curricular activities.

The award luncheon is taking place at the GEICO office at 3535 West Pipkin Road, Lakeland, Fla. 33807 on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 11:30 a.m. Regional Vice President George Rogers will be presenting the awards.

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the fifth-largest private-passenger auto insurer in the United States and provides auto insurance coverage for more than 5.2 million policyholders and insures more than 8.6 million vehicles. GEICO uses television, radio, print media and direct mail to attract customers to call its 1-800-841-3000 number and visit its Web site, and keeps its rates low by dealing directly with the customer. GEICO offers sales and claim services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, go to www.geico.com.