Atilus Donates Bitcoin to Startup a Scholarship Fund at FGCU

Atilus is a Bonita Springs, Florida-based internet marketing company owned by Florida Gulf Coast University alumni. The company has announced that it is creating a scholarship fund for students with bitcoin donations.

Atilus

The scholarship fund will be FGCU’s first encounter with bitcoin venturing. Atilus’ CEO and President Zachary Katkin, along with the company’s Director of Operations Harry Casimir, began the bitcoin fund with a total donation between the two of $37,500. The initial deposit was also paid by the company in bitcoins.

The scholarship will award juniors and seniors in good academic standing, who meet the minimum GPA requirement of 2.75. The students must also demonstrate strong social standings within student clubs and organizations. Other requirements that need to be met by students include qualifying for financial eligibility and involvement with a university sanctioned internship.

Katkin, who is a 2007 Liberal Studies graduate stated:

“Harry and I started our company at FGCU and we both received an education centered on technology. Atilus owes a lot to the university and we thought the idea of giving back using the future of money – bitcoin – would be the perfect union of philanthropy, technology and our alma mater. Giving back is one thing, but giving back in a meaningful way that furthers the discipline in which one was educated – and helps advance the institution of which many of us at Atilus are the products – is even better!”

As for Casimir, he is a 2005 Computer Information Services graduate, and is proud of the fact that he has helped the bitcoin scholarship fund come along at such an early stage of his career. The scholarship allows both Casimir and Katkin a way to remain involved with the university that has offered them so much.

The university’s vice president for Advancement and executive director, Christopher Simoneau, explained how proud the school was of the alumni, and that the two launched their business while they were still attending classes.

Bitcoin has been implemented vastly within the education system, and has no plans of slowing. Atilus’ scholarship fund comes shortly after Jeremy L. Rubin and Daniel B. Elitzer raised $500,000 to give each MIT undergraduate student $100 worth of bitcoins. The initiative was set in motion to help spread bitcoin awareness and to support the students.

Image via Atilus