Wells Fargo donates $350,000 to Clemson diversity programs

Wells Fargo has donated $350,000 to Clemson University for scholarships and course enhancement in two programs — Call Me Mister and Emerging Scholars. The funding will support initiatives focused on improving educational outcomes for diverse student populations across South Carolina.

Call Me Mister, which received $200,000 of the donation, was established to increase the number of diverse teachers in South Carolina. The program provides tuition assistance for its students in teacher education at participating colleges. It also provides a social, cultural and academic support system that helps assure the graduates’ success.

The Emerging Scholars program received $150,000 of the Wells Fargo donation. The program provides high school students in economically challenged counties in South Carolina the knowledge and skills to succeed in college through a variety of initiatives, including mentoring, workshops, college tours and summer residential experiences at Clemson. All of the Emerging Scholars students — more than 500 to date — have graduated from high school, with 90% going on to attend college or join the military.

Since 2008, Wells Fargo has given a total of $1.56 million to Call Me Mister and $750,000 to Emerging Scholars, according to a news release.