Alcoa Foundation to Fund $100,000 Scholarship in Honor of Bill Christopher

The Alcoa Foundation announced today plans to create a $100,000 scholarship in honor of Bill Christopher, former Group President of Alcoa Engineered Products and Solutions and member of the Chairman’s Counsel. The scholarship recognizes Christopher’s 36 years of service to Alcoa and his legacy of community leadership. He will retire April 1.

Each year for ten years, the Bill Christopher Alcoa Leadership Scholarship will award one student in the Cleveland, Ohio, area with a $10,000 scholarship – $2,500 per year for four years of college. The scholarship will support students who demonstrate leadership potential and Alcoa’s corporate values of promoting diversity, inspiring service and rewarding excellence – values embodied by Bill Christopher.

“Bill’s ability to foster a sense of pride and purpose has defined his leadership style and skill in building high performing teams. His mission to promote volunteerism and community leadership was a leading factor in Alcoa’s record-breaking number of volunteer hours in 2010,” said Paula Davis, President, Alcoa Foundation. “A scholarship is the best way we could honor a man who has given so much to help others succeed.”

Since moving to Cleveland in 1996, Christopher has made significant contributions to the Greater Cleveland community. Bill currently serves as chairman for the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) and heads the Air Demand Force focused on growing the demand for air service at Cleveland Hopkins Airport and maintaining the hub for Cleveland following the Continental/United merger. Christopher was also the past chairman of GCP’s Government Affairs Council. He served on the Alcoa Foundation Board of Directors and established a program at Alcoa Engineered Products and Solutions that promotes best practice sharing and reward and recognition for teams that demonstrate exceptional community leadership.