The EWI® Scholarship Program (EWISP) is an arm of EWI®'s Business/Career/Development Program (BCDP). The BCDP began in 1974 when Sears, Roebuck and Company invited the corporate office of EWI® to become involved in a community project to encourage the development of careers in business among high school students. For 15 years, the program was co-sponsored and funded by EWI®, Sears, Roebuck and Company, and Lanier Business Products.

In 1989 the program became fully funded and administered by EWI® under the exempt status of the Business Career Development Scholarship Program. Today, it is known as the BCDP Program and encompasses a broad range of educational and philanthropic endeavors. The program is administered under strict compliance with IRS rules governing a 501c3 organization and more than 36% of our 89 EWI® chapters participate at some level in the EWISP program.

To date, the International EWISP Program has awarded over $400,000 in scholarships to high school juniors from all over the United States and Canada. Students compete on a chapter level and have the opportunity to possibly advance to compete at the corporate level.

The Birmingham Chapter EWI® Scholarship Program, or better known as The Glenda Burson EWISP Scholarship Program, is one of the highlights of our chapter. Our chapter's program is named for Glenda Burson, a past president of our chapter who went on to become an International President of EWI® (1995-1996). Glenda represents McWane, Inc. and is still active in our chapter. The Birmingham Chapter was formed in 1960 and over the years, through the generous support of our member firms and the excellent leadership of our board, the chapter has developed a strong financial base. Accordingly, we have a “self-funded” scholarship program, which means our scholarships are awarded based on the interest earned on our investments. In 2003, the Birmingham Chapter awarded $7000 in scholarships.