Application, Video Deadline Approaching for Windstream
                        Charitable Program

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., March 9, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Windstream Corp.
(Nasdaq:WIN) has chosen a technology non-profit executive and two state
Teachers of the Year as judges for its Classroom Connections program,
which will provide public schools in Windstream's service area the
opportunity to receive up to $100,000 for technology-related upgrades.

All public and public charter schools in Windstream's 16-state
residential service area are encouraged to apply for Classroom
Connections. Applications and videos must be submitted online at
www.windstream.com/classroom by March 19, 2010. Four $25,000 donations
will be made in May. Ten $5,000 Spirit Awards will be made in
September.

The six judges are:

Brian Mefford is chairman and chief executive officer of Connected
Nation, Inc., a Washington D.C.-based non-profit that maps the
availability of broadband services and improves broadband deployment
and adoption throughout the United States.

Paul Kuhlman, the 2009 South Dakota Teacher of the Year, teaches high
school science and math at Avon High School in Avon, S. D.

Lori Neurohr, the 2009 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year, is a second-grade
teacher at Kohler Elementary School in Kohler, Wis.

David Avery is director of corporate communications for Windstream.

Susan Bradley is Windstream's senior vice president of human resources.

Ric Crane is executive vice president and chief marketing officer at
Windstream.

A complete overview of the Classroom Connections program, instructions
for applying and submitting videos, a listing of eligible service areas
and the winning videos from 2009, can be found online at
www.windstream.com/classroom. The deadline to apply is March 19.

About Windstream

Windstream Corp. (Nasdaq:WIN) is an S&P 500 company with about $3.7
billion in annual revenues. Windstream provides phone, high-speed
Internet and high-definition digital TV services to customers in 21
states. The company also offers a wide range of IP-based voice and data
services and advanced phone systems and equipment to businesses and
government agencies. For more information about Windstream, visit
www.windstream.com.

The Windstream Corporation logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7044


CONTACT:  Windstream Corporation
          Media Contact:
          Erin Ascione
          501-748-7368
          erin.ascione@windstream.com
          Twitter: @windstream
          Facebook: Windstream Communications