Windstream Awards $200,000 to Schools for New Technology and Computer Labs

Eight Schools Selected from Hundreds of Applications across 16 States to Receive
$25,000 Each from Classroom Connections Program
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(Business Wire)--
Windstream (NYSE: WIN) has selected eight schools to receive a total of $200,000
for new technology and computer labs as part of the company`s Classroom
Connections program.

Windstream received about 300 applications from schools in 16 states. Public and
public charter schools in Windstream`s service area were eligible to apply
online and were required to submit a video with their application. Schools were
judged on demonstrated need and creativity as well as enthusiasm shown in their
application.

The eight schools selected to receive the $25,000 donations are: Cardinal Middle
School of Middlefield, Ohio; Russell Middle School of Winder, Ga.; Burnside
Elementary School of Burnside, Ky.; El Rito Elementary of El Rito, N.M.; Johnson
County Central Middle School of Tecumseh, Neb.; Arrowhead Elementary School of
Broken Arrow, Okla.; Wolf Meadow Elementary School of Concord, N.C.; and
Liberty-Eylau High School of Texarkana, Texas.

In addition, five schools were recognized for their outstanding videos and will
be given $500 each. Those schools are: Screven Elementary in Screven, Ga.;
Meadow High School in Meadow, Texas; Southern Elementary in Lexington, Ky.;
Heartland Elementary in Elizabethtown, Ky.; and Greenbrier Eastside Elementary
in Greenbrier, Ark.

"We have been thrilled at the response and quality of the entries by so many
fine schools in our service area and we are pleased to recognize these eight
schools," said Windstream Vice President of Marketing Communications Ron
Proleika. "The Classroom Connections program allows us to make a big difference
in the communities we serve, and we are delighted to be able to provide new
technology to help students and schools succeed."

A panel of distinguished educators and Windstream executives reviewed the
entries and helped select the eight schools. Those schools will be awarded their
$25,000 donations at ceremonies held on dates soon to be announced. A complete
overview of the Classroom Connections program can be found at
www.greentrucktour.com/classroom. Videos of the selected schools can be viewed
on Windstream`s Facebook page.

About Windstream

Windstream Corporation is an S&P 500 company that provides digital phone,
high-speed Internet and high-definition video and entertainment services to
customers in 16 states. The company has approximately 3 million access lines and
about $3.2 billion in annual revenues. For more information, visit
www.windstream.com.

Windstream Corporation
Alice Hartnett, 704-845-7381
alice.hartnett@windstream.com
or
Cushman/Amberg Communications, Inc.
Jon Sloane or Krista Shockley, 314-725-6400

Copyright Business Wire 2009