LAS VEGAS - The Wells Fargo Nevada Foundation recently announced its commitment to donate a minimum of $3 million to the eight institutions of the University and Community College System of Nevada.

During the January 25 Board of Regents meeting, foundation representatives presented Board Chair Thalia Dondero with a check that will be distributed over the next five years.

We are extremely pleased and honored to accept this generous commitment from the Wells Fargo Nevada Foundation," said Dondero. "The foundation has always been a valued community partner and this gift will allow us to help even more students with the life-changing power of education."

Each year, UCCSN institutions will submit proposals for programs in need of funding to the Wells Fargo Nevada Foundation.

During the presentation, Laura Schulte, chairman/president and CEO of Wells Fargo Bank Nevada, N.A., also announced that the foundation will dedicate a minimum of $5,000 annually to each of the UCCSN's four community colleges and will increase the scholarship program to $100,000 per year.

"We hope that this contribution will be used to fund education programs that enhance the quality of life in Nevada," said Schulte. "Our dedication to education is unwavering. It is a key initiative of our foundation."

Wells Fargo Bank Nevada, N.A. serves more than 300,000 customers via more than 100 banking stores in the state. Its parent company, Wells Fargo & Company, is a $290 billion diversified financial services company providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than 5,400 stores, the Internet (www.wellsfargo.com) and other distribution channels across North America and elsewhere internationally.