Date: January 17, 2006
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director, Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu

PNC College Bound Partnership with LaPorte Schools

WESTVILLE – The Purdue University North Central College Bound program has partnered with LaPorte Community Schools to offer full PNC scholarships to qualifying LaPorte Community Schools graduates. This announcement was made during Martin Luther King Jr., Day activities at PNC.

The PNC College Bound program is also in place in the Michigan City Area School system (MCAS). The program started there with the 2005 – 2006 academic year, with 30 participating students.

As explained by Dr. James B. Dworkin, PNC chancellor, College Bound will provide full PNC scholarships to promising students who show potential in an area where PNC offers a baccalaureate degree. Students will be selected for the College Bound program in the seventh grade and will begin their activities as eighth graders. New students will be added each following year as the program continues.

From eighth grade through high school graduation, students will take part in enrichment activities such as field trips and after-school programs. They will have opportunities to meet mentor-teachers who will be role models who help to inspire the youngsters to excel.

The program is funded solely by donations. The PNC College Bound program serving MCAS recently saw the creation of an endowment created by Saint Anthony Memorial Health Centers and Tonn & Blank Construction to help support the program. Current contributors are City Savings Bank, Horizon Bank and Sullair Corporation, all of Michigan City, Michigan City Community Enrichment Corporation and NIPSCO.

“These exciting partnerships with the Michigan City Area Schools and LaPorte Community Schools will help make a college education a reality for young people who may never otherwise have a chance at higher education,” said Dworkin. ”Thanks to this groundbreaking program, many of the participating students will be the first in their families to attend college. These students will be welcomed at PNC and will enhance the racial, ethnic and socio-economic diversity of our student body.”

The economic support of the program by a cross-section of area businesses and organizations reflects an investment in the community and will help secure the future of the MCAS and LaPorte students, their families and their community, said Dworkin.

Dr. Judith DeMuth, superintendent of LaPorte Community Schools, said, ”The LaPorte Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees and School Corporation are extremely honored and proud of this partnership with Purdue North Central. We thank Chancellor Dworkin, Vice Chancellor Joseph Goepfrich and Assistant Vice Chancellor Dr. J. Jeffrey Jones for their vision in ensuring as many students as possible have a solid foundation and opportunity for a college education.

“We thank, in advance, the many contributors and donors who will make this program successful and look forward to our long term relationship and work with them.”

For information about making a contribution to College Bound, contact Joseph Goepfrich, PNC vice chancellor for Advancement, at 800-872-1231, ext. 5672.

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