WARRENSBURG, Mo. (AP) – A business founder is giving $500,000 to the University of Central Missouri to provide everything from free tuition to international experiences.

The Warrensburg school says the gift comes from Dave and Thelma Steward. Dave Steward graduated from the University of Central Missouri and founded St. Louis-based World Wide Technology.

The program will provide full tuition assistance for undergraduate students pursuing business degrees in computer information systems. Steward Scholars also will have opportunities to interact with business leaders and mentors, attend professional conferences and experience a focused international internship or study-abroad semester.

The scholarships will be awarded next spring and it is expected the first class will be enrolled for fall 2012.

Steward pledged the gift over five years.