Central Piedmont Community College has received a $1-million gift from Coca-Cola Consolidated to support U.S. military veterans and first responder scholarships, provide program support and assist with other critical needs at the college.
Central Piedmont provides its military veteran students a range of services in a purposeful and caring way aimed at helping them transition from military service to civilian success in the classroom and the community while accessing all available veterans benefits. The college’s first responder or public safety programs include Basic Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, Emergency Medicine, Fire Protection, and Public Safety Administration.
Headquartered in Charlotte, Coca-Cola Consolidated is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States serving consumers, customers and communities for more than 122 years. The company makes, sells and distributes beverages of The Coca-Cola Company and other partner companies in more than 300 brands and flavors across 14 states and the District of Columbia to approximately 60 million consumers.
“We are honored to partner with Central Piedmont to support U.S. military veterans and first responders in this way,” Morgan Everett, vice chair, Coca-Cola Consolidated, said. “Our purpose to serve others includes extending a pathway to opportunity, and we hope this gift will provide critical job-readiness skills to our community members as they enter the workforce.”
Recognizing the growing need for public safety professionals in Mecklenburg County, Central Piedmont launched a new associate degree program in Public Safety Administration in August 2023. The two-year program offers students multiple tracks to tailor their experience toward their desired career or current field of expertise. The program tracks include security and loss prevention, emergency and fire management, law enforcement, and corrections.
“Central Piedmont thanks Coca-Cola Consolidated for its generous gift in support of our military veteran and first responder students,” Kandi Deitemeyer, Central Piedmont president, said. “This gift will ease the financial burdens of deserving students who have chosen to serve their country and protect our community. Coca-Cola Consolidated’s support will have a significant and positive impact for generations to come.”
The Coca-Cola Consolidated gift is the latest initiative in a multi-year partnership between the company and the college. Coca-Cola Consolidated and Central Piedmont also have collaborated to develop a unique workplace learning program. The Coca-Cola Consolidated Apprenticeship Program is a hands-on learning opportunity that provides paid apprenticeships to stimulate interest in high-demand positions in the manufacturing, equipment repair, and logistics sectors at Coke Consolidated’s facilities in the Charlotte area. Apprentices transition to full-time positions upon successful completion of the program.
