Noel F. Khalil Scholarship Awards Five Recipients in its Inaugural Year Totaling $12,500

ATLANTA – October 29, 2024 – Columbia Residential has selected five recipients for the inaugural Noel F. Khalil Scholarship, which awards $2,500 each to recent high school graduates, incoming college freshmen, or current students, who reside in a Columbia Residential community and are currently enrolled in postsecondary accredited education institutions, including colleges, universities, and technical and vocational schools.

The scholarship is named after the late Noel F. Khalil, the founder and former CEO and Chairman
of Columbia Residential. Mr. Khalil, a prominent Atlanta businessman who championed affordable housing in metro Atlanta and across the southeast, was also a strong advocate for postsecondary education and believed in providing opportunities for students to pursue their dreams and career aspirations, no matter their economic background. Before his passing in 2021, one of Mr. Khalil’s dreams was to establish a scholarship fund to support students in achieving their college and postsecondary education goals.

“My father always impressed upon us the importance of education,” said Anwar Khalil, managing partner of Khalil Investment Group, LLC. “It’s gratifying to know that his legacy of giving and inspiring others will be carried forward with this scholarship fund—and that he will continue to transform lives through this initiative.”

This year, five recipients were selected based on their outstanding applications, essays, and alignment with the scholarship’s core values of community impact, perseverance, and financial literacy. The following students will each receive the $2,500 scholarship award:

• Olando Palmer, an undergraduate student at Georgia Technical Institute of Technology majoring in computer science
• Princetta Miller, currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Western Governors University
• Annaya Seniors, an undergraduate student at University of Georgia majoring in cognitive science with a focus on artificial intelligence and ethics
• Jayden Griffin, an undergraduate student at Clark Atlanta University who is pursuing filmmaking
• Amaya Talley, a sophomore at Spelman College pursuing an independent studies major in film

“We are proud to recognize these exceptional young people who have demonstrated remarkable dedication to their education, strong personal stories of overcoming adversity, and a clear commitment to giving back to their communities,” said Jim Grauley, CEO of Columbia Residential. “Noel would be very proud to know that his legacy continues with this next generation of future community leaders.”

About Columbia Residential

Founded in 1991 by the late Noel Khalil, Columbia Residential is an award-winning Atlanta-based developer, owner, and manager of affordable and mixed-income housing. Celebrating its thirty-three-year anniversary in 2024, the company operates in Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas with an active development pipeline. It manages more than 10,000 affordable and mixed-income housing units in some 75 communities. Columbia Residential is a place-based developer and makes a lasting commitment to each community it plans, builds, and services by providing a continuum of stewardship that powers long-term investments. The company’s unique development and property management approach features strong local partnerships and an innovative model for resident services, including comprehensive on-site programming and additional resources provided through strategic partnerships with local entities that foster a strong home life and growth mindset for every resident.