Bill Daniels, the legendary pioneer in cable television known for his kindness and generosity to those in need, must have been smiling from above as he watched the action on the floor of the Colorado House chambers on April 22.

A group of surprised students learned that morning that they had received the Daniels Scholarship following the reading of a resolution by Rep. Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, recognizing the outstanding efforts of the nearly 3,000 candidates for the Daniels Scholarship this year.

“As a Daniels Scholar myself, I am delighted to share with you that you are no longer semifinalists and that each and every one of you is now a Daniels Scholar,” Moreno told the students gathered on the floor of the House. The students and their adult supporters erupted into applause at the emotional announcement and were congratulated by House members.

The students at the Capitol were among 256 high school seniors from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming whose exceptional character, leadership, and commitment to giving back to the community earned them a place in the Daniels Scholarship Program.

“We provide Daniels Scholars with resources, encouragement, and support far beyond financial assistance to help them earn a college degree,” explained Linda Childears, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund. “We provide personal and professional development through leadership programs, and networking opportunities to help them succeed and thrive in life.”

Daniels Scholars may attend any accredited nonprofit college or university in the United States and the program covers the expenses that remain after all other scholarships and financial aid have been applied. Funding covers all or part of a student’s required college expenses such as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other educational expenses. Students also receive a laptop computer.

The new class of Daniels Scholars includes 177 from Colorado, 42 from New Mexico, 16 from Utah, and 21 from Wyoming. The percentages of scholarships awarded in each state were established by Bill Daniels, founder of the Daniels Fund.

Each year, the Daniels Fund awards more than $13 million in funding through the Daniels Scholarship Program. More than $95 million in scholarships have been awarded since the program was launched in the year 2000. The funding received by each Daniels Scholar varies depending on the college or university they attend.

The Daniels Scholarship Program is among the most comprehensive in the nation, packaging its college scholarship with resources, support, training, and connections that prepare Daniels Scholars to graduate ready to win in the real world.

Beyond the actual funds for college, the Daniels Scholars receive valuable additional resources devoted to producing graduates that are well-versed technically and proficient in areas such as ethics and integrity, proper conduct, meeting obligations, and giving back.

Daniels Scholars benefit from tools like a series of custom online enrichment modules that provide training and guidance from top business and community leaders in subjects that range from internships to civic engagement to work ethic.

The Daniels Fund worked with employers of all sizes and across many industries to identify the attributes they seek most, and now Daniels Scholars are finding internships and job offers at levels far beyond what other graduating college students can expect.

With this year’s announcement, more than 2,762 students have received the Daniels Scholarship. Since it is a four-year scholarship, there are approximately 1,000 Daniels Scholars attending some 214 colleges and universities in 44 states at any time.