In 1989, Dr. Helen C. Cooks saw a gap in educational support for young students in the greater Toledo community. That vision led to the founding of Toledo Excel, a pre-college scholarship incentive program at The University of Toledo designed to prepare traditionally underserved students for college success and community leadership.
Today, that vision is thriving and continues to grow through the support of the Owens Corning Foundation.
From left, Belinda Wheeler, associate director of Toledo Excel; Lisa Anderson, community affairs leader at Owens Corning; Craig Teamer, Toledo Excel alumnus; Gabrielle Knighten, UToledo freshman and Toledo Excel scholar; Matthew Flick, high school senior and Toledo Excel scholar; Madison Glover, UToledo senior and Toledo Excel scholar; James Holloway, president of UToledo; David Young, director of Toledo Excel; and Shawanna LaVoy, associate director of Toledo Excel.
“This is a full circle moment of partnership between Toledo Excel and the Owens Corning Foundation,” said David Young, director of Toledo Excel. “When UToledo approved the program in 1989, one of the original corporate partners was Owens Corning.”
More than three decades later, the Owens Corning Foundation is continuing its commitment to our community with an additional gift presented to the Toledo Excel program on Friday, Oct. 3, at a special ceremony. The check for $827,920 will help to expand the program, support additional scholarships and provide summer programming over the next five years (including FY26). These new funds may be used for any Excel student expanding impact beyond those within the Toledo Public School system.
“That initial support began with sponsoring our youth conference and has since evolved into this most recent gift, which will allow us to impact more students in greater ways, creating future Rockets and launching careers,” Young said at the presentation.
Toledo Excel provides its students with comprehensive support from 8th grade through high school, offering Saturday school, summer institutes, tutoring, college and career advising, academic retreats, community service opportunities and even international travel for cultural studies. The curriculum is designed to challenge students beyond standard education.
“Toledo Excel has a 97% high school graduation rate and 85% college graduation rate, figures that surpass standard graduation rates for students outside the program. This not only supports UToledo but builds our connection to the greater community as we help to support our future leaders,” said Dr. James Holloway, president of The University of Toledo.
The collaboration with Owens Corning is an example of how meaningful partnerships can uplift communities. These investments enable more students to access life-changing resources, while also strengthening the University’s ties to the region.
During the event, Gabrielle Knighten, a UToledo freshman and Toledo Excel scholar, shared her experience as a member of the program.
“The University of Toledo is among our most valued local partners,” said Lisa Anderson, community affairs leader at Owens Corning. “We believe that education is the foundation for opportunity, growth and lasting change. By investing in programs like Toledo Excel, we’re not just supporting students, we’re empowering future leaders, innovators and changemakers for our community and beyond.”
Through the continued generosity of supporters like the Owens Corning Foundation, Toledo Excel is not only changing lives, but it’s helping to reshape the future of education and opportunity in northwest Ohio and beyond.
Learn more about TOLEDO EXCEL.
To learn more about corporate partnership programs at UToledo, contact Cindy Jewell, senior director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement, at Cindy.Miller2@UToledo.Edu or 419.530.6175.
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