136 golfers, comprised of Nissan, its suppliers and local-area business people, teed off to raise $61,000 to provide unique educational opportunities for students in Rutherford County.

The fifth annual BEP/Nissan Drive for Education Golf Classic serves as the major funding factor for the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce's Business Education Partnership (BEP) teacher mini-grant program. The program provides grants of up to $500 to teachers for special projects over and above the required curriculum. These grants are awarded annually to teachers in the Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City School systems by the BEP at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. In the last school year, 179 grants were awarded for creative projects.

"Nissan and our suppliers are pleased to join together with the Business Education Partnership and the Rutherford County community to provide funding for unique learning opportunities through the teacher mini-grant program," said Dan Gaudette, senior vice president of North American Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management for Nissan North America. "In an era of tight school budgets, this program presents teachers with an opportunity to supplement students' educations through projects that help prepare them for tomorrow's workforce."

Nissan suppliers and local area businesses made up the 35 teams that participated in the tournament held at the Stones River Country Club in Murfreesboro. Six companies served as top-level Maxima Sponsors, donating at least $5,000. They were Decoma International, PPG–Kansai Automotive Finishes, International Industrial Contracting Corporation, Visteon, CalsonicKansei North America, and Hagemeyer. 27 businesses sponsored the Golf Classic with hole sponsorships and 32 community volunteers helped staff the event.


"This tournament and the money raised are the lifeblood of the BEP teacher mini-grant program," said Lee Rennick, director of the Business Education Partnership. "Thanks to Nissan, its suppliers and the community, teachers in Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City schools can continue to bring their innovative projects to life in the classroom for our area's students."

"The education of our area's children is an important cause and Nissan's pleased to provide additional support," said Gaudette.

Over the last five years, the tournament raised over $260,000 for the BEP mini-grant program: $40,000 in 2002, $50,000 in 2003, $51,000 in 2004, $60,000 in 2005 and $61,000 in 2006.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infiniti.com.