“Quinnipiac and PepsiCo have been partners for more than 20 years and this extended partnership is a testament to our shared values,” said Carl Kazmierczak, PepsiCo’s vice president of food service sales. “Both Quinnipiac and PepsiCo are always striving to find ways to invest in future leaders, add to already-exceptional campus experiences and address environmental and sustainability priorities. This partnership will provide several opportunities to do just that.”

The extended partnership with PepsiCo calls for the university to receive $100,000 annually over the next 10 years to create the PepsiCo Academic Scholarship Fund, which will be available to qualified students starting this fall.

The $1 million scholarship fund will support incoming first-year undergraduate students with high financial need. Recipients of the scholarship will be able to benefit from it for their entire four years of study, as long as they remain in good standing and continue to demonstrate financial need each year.

In addition, another $500,000 fund ($50,000 annually) will establish the PepsiCo Fund for Environmental Science and Sustainability.

The fund will support students in financial need engaged in experiential learning, study abroad, travel, internships and other opportunities in the environmental science major, the sustainability and environmental policy major and environmental studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. The fund may be used also for sustainability projects and initiatives across campus.

PepsiCo funding will be used also to support a variety of student activities, athletics, club sports and Bobcat Weekend, which celebrates alumni and family connections to Quinnipiac. Bobcat Weekend takes place Oct. 6-8.

“I’m grateful to PepsiCo for its visionary philanthropy supporting academics, critical student immersion experiences and sustainability initiatives,” Olian said. “Partnerships can take many forms. I’m so pleased that PepsiCo has chosen to invest in such impactful learning initiatives for students who might not otherwise have such opportunities.”