From left, PPG Industries North America Director of Refinish Manufacturing Carl Johnson, who is based at PPG’s automotive refinish paint manufacturing facility in Delaware, Ohio, presents Gary W. James, Franklin University board chairman, and Dr. David Decker, Franklin University president, with a $5,000 check from the PPG Industries Foundation to help fund a Student Success Coaching program. Johnson has served on the Franklin University board for two years.

DELAWARE, Ohio, Aug. 3, 2011 – The PPG Industries Foundation has donated $5,000 to Franklin University, one of the leading educators of working adults, for its Student Success Coaching program. The program is designed to help increase success for university students, who are working adults in Central Ohio.

"We are grateful to PPG for its help in expanding this effort," said Bonnie Quist, Franklin University vice president for university advancement and strategic relations. “Franklin University continually strives to identify and implement tools that lead to increased achievement for students. With this funding, we can offer Success Coaching to more students and specifically identify students who may benefit the most from personalized coaching.”

Through the Student Success Coaching program, Franklin University offers new students a coach who acts as a primary point of contact, providing personal attention and proactively reinforcing the link between short- and long-term goals. Quist said this one-on-one model has helped to encourage some students at risk of disenrollment, many of whom pursue degrees while maintaining job and family commitments, to stay enrolled and make positive progress toward graduating. The ultimate goal, she said, is to help more students successfully graduate, increasing the number of degree-holding individuals in the communities Franklin University serves and thereby strengthening the work force and economic development in these areas.

“PPG is strongly committed to supporting the communities where its employees work and live, especially through educational programs,” said Carl Johnson, North America director of refinish manufacturing, based at PPG’s automotive refinish paint manufacturing facility in Delaware, and a trustee on Franklin University’s board. “We are proud to help Franklin University encourage working Ohioans to successfully complete higher-education degrees. By funding the growth of the Student Success Coaching program, we hope more members of our community will be supported in realizing their academic goals.”

Established in 1951, the PPG Industries Foundation demonstrates the values of PPG Industries by enhancing the quality of life in communities where the company has a presence. Interests of the foundation, in order of priority, are education, human services, culture and arts, and civic and community affairs. PPG also supports charitable causes by encouraging employees' volunteerism and board service with nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.ppgfoundation.com.

About Franklin University
Founded in 1902, Franklin University is one of the leading and most experienced educators of adult students. Annually, more than 11,000 students attend Franklin, both at its main campus in downtown Columbus, three Central Ohio locations, and at its newest location in Indianapolis, in addition to online. Franklin offers 29 undergraduate majors as well as five graduate programs and graduates more than 1,500 students annually. The university’s MBA program is offered internationally through agreements with institutions in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Further information regarding Franklin University can be found at www.franklin.edu.

PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE.(TM)
PPG Industries' vision is to continue to be the world’s leading coatings and specialty products company. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in more than 60 countries around the world. Sales in 2010 were $13.4 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.

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Contact:
K.C. McCrory
PPG Corporate Communications
412.434.2445
kmccrory@ppg.com

Sherry Mercurio
Franklin University Public Relations
614.947.6581
mercuris@franklin.edu