Sonja Alexander September 21, 1999

Headquarters, Washington, DC
(Phone: 202/358-1761)

Ryan McDay
United Negro College Fund, McLean, VA
(Phone: 703/205-3454)

MEDIA ADVISORY: m99-194

NASA AND THE UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND LAUNCH

CURRICULUM AWARD FOR MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS

NASA and the United Negro College Fund today announced that
five historically black colleges and universities will receive
grants to improve their science, math, engineering and technology
curricula. This announcement was made during a ceremony at the
Washington Hilton recognizing National HBCU Week.

The selected institutions, chosen from more than 65 colleges

and universities eligible to submit proposals:

* Allen University, Columbia, SC

* Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
* Paine College, Augusta, GA
* Paul Quinn College, Dallas, TX
* St. Philip's College, San Antonio, TX

The awards, called the Curriculum Improvement Partnership

Award (CIPA) Program for Minority-Serving Institutions, represent
the first partnership between the United Negro College Fund and
NASA.

"NASA has a rich and distinguished history of collaborating

with other organizations to enrich historically black colleges and
universities' academic infrastructure," said NASA Administrator
Daniel S. Goldin. "This new partnership with the United Negro
College fund is another opportunity to enhance these universities
and to further NASA's goals by designing courses for math,
science, engineering and technology students."

The partnership awards are aimed at improving science and

technology curricula at minority-serving institutions and
increasing the number of minority students who choose careers in
related fields.

"We are very excited about our partnership with NASA and how
this effort will help improve the quality of education that
students receive at these institutions," said William H. Gray III,
President and CEO of the United Negro College Fund. "In today's
technologically driven society, it is essential that all
institutions expose their students to curricula that integrate
innovative science and technology practices."

Founded in 1944, the United Negro College Fund is the

nation's oldest and most successful minority higher education
assistance organization. The fund has raised more than $1.4
billion to support its 39 member institutions and administers more
than 450 programs. Its efforts include scholarship programs,
mentoring, summer enrichment, study abroad and curriculum, faculty
and leadership development.

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