Jim Ayers, chairman of the board of Nashville-based FirstBank, was among 13 prominent Americans inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans recently.

The Horatio Alger Award has been presented annually to esteemed business, civic and cultural leaders who’ve succeeded despite great adversity, and who’ve exhibited a lifelong commitment to higher education and charitable endeavors.

“It is an honor to be inducted into an organization that offers meaningful support to exceptionally deserving students,” Ayers said. “Access to education allowed me to explore the endless opportunities that were available to me and starting a scholarship program of my own has been such a rewarding endeavor. I believe that my involvement in the Horatio Alger Association will allow me to provide more young people with the opportunity to pursue a college degree.”

Through its members, the Horatio Alger Association aims to educate young people about the limitless opportunities afforded to them by the free-enterprise system. To further this mission, the organization awards scholarships to outstanding high-school students who are committed to pursuing higher education and giving back to their communities.

Like Association Members, Horatio Alger Scholars have overcome significant adversities through unmatched resilience. Since the scholarship program was established in 1984, the Horatio Alger Association has provided more than $159 million to students in need, funded solely through the generosity of Association Members and friends.

For more information about the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, visit www.horatioalger.org.