Nationwide Insurance Donates $120,000 to CIAA Scholarship Fund

COLUMBUS, Ohio --(Business Wire)--

Nationwide Insurance, the official insurance provider of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), announced today a $120,000 donation to the CIAA college scholarship fund. On Friday night, Nationwide executive leaders presented a check to the CIAA during halftime of the men's semi-final basketball game of the 2013 tournament. To date, Nationwide Insurance has contributed more than $700,000 to the CIAA scholarship fund that serves to benefit students at CIAA member schools.

"Nationwide's $120,000 contribution to the CIAA scholarship fund demonstrates our commitment to educational excellence and support for making educational opportunities available to everyone," said Nationwide Regional Vice-President, Lee Morton. "This partnership is what being On Your Side® is all about."

Nationwide demonstrates its commitment to the CIAA through its year round presence on the campuses of CIAA member schools as well as through its sponsorship of the CIAA Basketball tournament, CIAA Football Championship Game, and all 16 CIAAConference Championships. In addition to financial contributions, Nationwide also hosts onsite career fairs, provides career counseling, contributes to scholarship funds, offers leadership development opportunities and creates pathways to employment through a corporate internship program.

The CIAA/Nationwide internship program brings students to work at various Nationwide regional offices and at its home office in Columbus, Ohio. The program helps students gain real work experience in preparation of their post graduate career goals. This year during tournament week, Nationwide took the opportunity to highlight four of its most recent CIAA student interns. Two of these talented students recently secured full-time positions with Nationwide. These students and recent graduates hail from Elizabeth City State University, Chowan University, Winston-Salem State University and Johnson C. Smith University.

"We are serious about hiring talent from CIAA schools and have spent the week meeting with students to recruit for a wide range of positions at Nationwide," added Morton. "After all, this is what the CIAA is all about - preparing students for tomorrow and helping them realize their dreams."

About Nationwide

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. The company provides customers a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, pet, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, public and private sector retirement plans, long-term savings plans and specialty health services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

Nationwide, the Nationwide Framemark and On Your Side are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.