wfn.org | Awards to United Methodist Colleges

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3082 notes).

Note 3079 by UMNS on July 24, 1996 at 16:31 Eastern (4272 characters).

SEARCH: Howard Hughes, institute, science, education, colleges,
universities

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Green                              365(10-71){3079}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             July 24, 1996

Four church-related institutions awarded
grants to strengthen science programs

                 by United Methodist News Service

     Four United Methodist-related colleges and universities are
among 52 institutions of higher education to receive $45.4 million
in four-year grants from a medical research organization to
strengthen their undergraduate science education programs.
     The Howard Hughes Medical Institute of Chevy Chase, Md., the
nation's largest private philanthropic organization, July 24
awarded grants of between $600,000 and $1.6 million to U.S.
colleges and universities to enhance undergraduate education
programs in the biological sciences for the 1996-2000 academic
years. 
     The Institute awards grants every two years. It has given
more than $335 million to colleges and universities since it was
established in 1988 to revitalize science classes. 
     The undergraduate program is the largest of several of the
Howard Hughes Medical Institute's initiatives to improve science
education from elementary school through postgraduate training. 
     The recipients will use the money for expanding undergraduate
research programs, updating science equipment and curriculum, and
recruiting faculty in the emerging fields of biology. Some of the
schools will expand recruitment of minority biological science
majors, and improve relations with students and teachers at local
schools in their communities.
     "These colleges and universities do an excellent job of
preparing students for careers in scientific research, teaching,
medicine and related fields," said Purnell W. Choppin, president
of the institute. "The grants will help them provide students with
more opportunities to carry out research in modern laboratories
with state-of-the-art equipment ... Our goal is to get students of 
 all ages, including women and minorities, involved in real life
exploration instead of just memorizing facts from books," he said.
     The institute invited 201 public and private colleges,
universities, and schools of engineering and technology to apply
for the 1996 grants. Of these institutions, 189 submitted
proposals. Grants were approved by the Institute's trustees for 52
institutions in 24 states. The recipients include 45 that
previously have received money.
     The four United Methodist-related institutions to receive a
four-year grant are:
     * Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa. The school will receive
$600,000 to purchase equipment and recruit faculty for a new
neuroscience major; fill two faculty positions in biology and
psychology; provide for both on and off campus undergraduate
research; and provide summer mathematics for future college
freshmen and career development for high school juniors.
     * Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport. The college
will receive $600,000 to renovate laboratory science equipment;
implement multi-year research programs and forums; and provided
opportunities for faculty development.
     * Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Neb. The university
will receive $1.2 million to purchase new laboratory equipment to
implement a new curriculum in the sciences; provide summer
research experiences for students at both the University and at
Philander Smith College, a historically black institution;
outreach to science teachers at rural high schools; and provide 
professional development.
     * Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio. It will receive
$650,000 for equipment to enhance the research environment for
students and infuse curriculum with technology; provide science
outreach for elementary school students and teachers; support a
summer residential program for middle school students; and provide
faculty development workshop opportunities to integrate computer
science into the science curriculum. 
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