ST. LOUIS, June 11, 2008 – Webster University announced today that Edward Jones has given the university a gift of $1 million. Doug Hill, senior partner, Edward Jones and former chairman of the Webster University board of trustees, said the gift has been designated to benefit the university’s School of Business and Technology.

“Edward Jones is pleased to recognize Webster University's commitment to local, national and international education through this gift to the School of Business and Technology” said Hill.  “This gift helps strengthen our shared commitment to giving back to the communities we call home."

“This generous gift from Edward Jones will help us achieve our vision for the St. Louis campus and for the School of Business and Technology,” said Webster University President Neil J. George.  “We are fortunate to have both Doug Hill and Edward Jones as partners with Webster in enhancing our educational programs and outreach here in St. Louis, across the country and around the world.”

Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliates, in Canada and the United Kingdom. Every aspect of the firm's business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work. The firm's 10,000-plus financial advisors work directly with more than seven million clients to understand their personal goals –from college savings to retirement– and create long-term investment strategies that emphasize a well-balanced portfolio and a buy-and-hold strategy. Edward Jones embraces the importance of building long-term, face-to-face relationships with clients, helping them to understand and make sense of the investment options available today.

Edward Jones is headquartered in St. Louis. The Edward Jones interactive Web site is located at www.edwardjones.com.

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University (www.webster.edu) is a worldwide institution committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence. Founded in 1915, Webster offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through five schools and colleges, and a global network of more than 100 campuses. Its 20,000-plus student population represents almost 150 nationalities. The University’s core values include excellence in teaching, joining theory and practice, small class sizes, and educating students to be lifelong independent learners, fully prepared to participate in an increasingly international society.

Since opening its first campus overseas in Geneva in 1978, Webster has become a recognized leader and innovator in global education, with an international presence that now includes campuses in London; Vienna; Amsterdam and Leiden, the Netherlands; Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu, China; and Bangkok and Cha-am, Thailand. Webster also has educational partnerships with universities in Mexico and Japan.