Konica Minolta Awards 2nd Annual High School Scholarships to Inspirational New Orleans Students

Business Wire, April 21, 2008

Scholarships Awarded to KIPP McDonogh 15 Students for Special Achievement in Academics, Music and Creative Arts

RAMSEY, N.J. & NEW ORLEANS -- Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced the recipients of its second annual scholarship program that will allow three graduating eighth grade students from the KIPP McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts (KIPP McDonogh 15) to attend top-rated, private New Orleans high schools. The scholarship initiative is conducted through its Colorful Tomorrow Foundation, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charitable division of the company that focuses its efforts on the creation of more colorful and better tomorrows for children. For the students of KIPP McDonogh 15, the scholarships will provide them with the opportunity to attend private, college-preparatory high schools that will prepare them for higher education as part of Konica Minolta's ongoing commitment to the school.

"KIPP McDonogh 15 students are some of the most gifted and hardest working in New Orleans, and for the second year we are working to provide three select students with the opportunity to take the next step in improving their education," said Jun Haraguchi, President and CEO, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Inc. "These scholarships represent one of Konica Minolta's primary CSR initiatives, the next generation of education, because we believe strongly in the work being done at KIPP McDonogh 15 to foster a strong educational foundation for New Orleans youth."

Each year, Konica Minolta awards $15,000 scholarships to three students that excel in the areas of academics, creative arts and musical arts. Eight scholarship finalists were chosen from a group of 25 applicants who were required to complete a scholarship application as well as submit a 100-word essay outlining their educational and career goals. The finalists were then interviewed by a panel of Konica Minolta and New Orleans city representatives, including:

* Tom Dempsey, former kicker for the New Orleans Saints and current National Account Representative at Konica Minolta's New Orleans sales branch

* Tom Jones, manager of professional development from Konica Minolta's Atlanta office

* Myrtha Eugene, corporate counsel from Konica Minolta

* Marge Reilly, paralegal from Konica Minolta

* Mary Beth Mullin, convention sales manager for New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau

* Dawn Brown, Meteorologist, WWL-TV, a CBS affiliate in New Orleans

* Veronica Murillo, Editor, iTchat (a BERTL industry publication)

James Norberto, manager of publication relations for Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. moderated the interview process and recognition awards event.

"For the second year in a row, we were presented with an extremely talented group of scholarship applicants," said Norberto. "We were inspired by of all of the applicants, and are proud to know that Konica Minolta is assisting the three winners in furthering their academic pursuits."

After much anticipation, the winners were announced at an assembly held at KIPP McDonogh 15 on April 18, 2008 and include:

* Antonio Miller, recognized for "Outstanding Proficiency in Creative Arts", dreams of becoming an actor and artist, and will attend Metairie Park Country Day School this fall.

* Kelvin Harrison, Jr., recognized for "Outstanding Proficiency in Music Arts", and dreams of becoming the next big jazz musician to come out of New Orleans, and will attend the Isidore Newman School and the acclaimed New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) this fall.

* Chad Stone, recognized for "Outstanding Academic Achievement", dreams of becoming a high-powered and influential lawyer, and will attend the Isidore Newman School this fall.

"It has been my dream to attend Newman and NOCCA in the hopes of perfecting my musical talents, but I never thought it would be possible," said Kelvin Harrison, Jr. "With the help of this Konica Minolta's scholarship, I am on my way to fulfilling my educational and musical dreams."

About KIPP McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts

KIPP McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts was opened by the nonprofit KIPP New Orleans Schools in the summer of 2006 to serve the students of a rebuilding New Orleans. KIPP McDonogh 15 is an open-enrollment public charter school that unites a rigorous college-preparatory academic experience and a focus on the creative arts with positive character education. The school is part of the nationally acclaimed KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) network of schools and is one of three local KIPP New Orleans schools. By 2010, there will be five KIPP New Orleans schools that will serve over 2,200 students. For more information, please visit www.kippneworleans.org or contact Jonathan Bertsch at 504-905-7311.

About Konica Minolta Colorful Tomorrow Foundation

Konica Minolta Colorful Tomorrow Foundation (CTF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established under the laws of the State of New Jersey. Members of the management team of Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. serve as CTF's Trustees and Officers voluntarily and without compensation.