FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                    October 8, 2007

NORTHWESTERN AWARDED $1.25 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT
TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SCHOOL MATH AND SCIENCE SKILLS

            Northwestern Oklahoma State University has received a $1.25 million Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) grant from the U.S. Department of Education to work with 10 area public schools to strengthen the math and science skills of their students and encourage students to pursue college degrees in related academic areas.

            The Upward Bound grant program is part of the Federal TRIO Programs that provide educational opportunity outreach programs designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

            The award is Northwestern’s first TRIO-related grant. The Department of Education received 275 applications for UBMS grants and funded 110 applications. Northwestern’s grant proposal called for $250,000 per year for four years, but the Education Department awarded Northwestern a fifth year because its grant application scored in the top 10 percent of all applications.

            “We are tremendously excited about the award, not only because it will benefit many high school students in our area, but also because we have placed a major focus on securing federal, state and private grants that will advance our leadership agenda,” said Dr. Janet Cunningham, president. “We have the opportunity to become a regional resource for math and science education.”

            The 10 schools targeted by Northwestern through the grant include Alva, Aline-Cleo, Burlington, Cherokee, Cimarron, Fairview, Freedom, Ringwood, Timberlake and Waynoka. Representatives from Northwestern will begin working with each school to identify prospective student participants.

            The grant will provide funding for academic instruction in core curriculum courses, personal counseling, academic events, career awareness activities, a residential summer program and a college bridge program.

            Cunningham said Northwestern expects to add three new positions to administer the grant, including a project director, academic counselor and administrative assistant. Personnel costs and other costs associated with the program will be funded through the grant.

-NW-

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