RENO, Nev. (August 23, 2024) –
The Meruelo Family and Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (GSR), through the GSRCares Educational Fund, are pledging $200,000 to the Tailhook Educational Foundation (TEF) Scholarship, with annual $50,000 donations through 2027. These donations will help fund scholarships that are used to assist Naval Aviation legacy undergraduate students obtain a higher education.
“This contribution reflects GSR’s deep appreciation for the men and women who have served our country, and we are honored to support their legacy through education,” said Alex Meruelo, GSR owner and Meruelo Group CEO. “By investing in these students’ futures, we hope to make a lasting impact on their lives and help them achieve their dreams.”
The Tailhook Educational Foundation awards over 100 scholarships annually, with grants averaging more than $4,000 each. The foundation’s merit-based scholarships are highly competitive, with a significant portion awarded to students pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields. The scholarships are exclusively available to Naval Aviation legacy students, helping them achieve their educational goals and contribute to the future leadership of the nation. TEF scholarships are only made possible by the continued generosity of our individual and organizational donors.
In 2024, over 500 Naval Aviation legacy students applied for a TEF scholarship, 136 of these applicants earned a TEF grant.
“The Tailhook Educational Foundation is grateful for the generous support from GSR and the Meruelo Family,” said Rodger Welch, Captain USN (Ret) and an executive director of the TEF. “This donation will go a long way in helping our scholars, who represent the future of our nation, to pursue their academic and professional goals.”
To celebrate the donation, GSR owner and Meruelo Group CEO Alex Meruelo presented a $50,000 check to TEF board members on Thursday, Aug. 22, alongside a ceremonial $200,000, showcasing the team’s commitment over the coming years.
This partnership between GSRCares and TEF represents a shared commitment to empowering future leaders. For more information about the Tailhook Educational Foundation, visit tailhook.net/tef. For more information about GSR, visit grandsierraresort.com.
