Paine College will receive $1 million a year for the next three years from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The college has joined forces with Savannah River Site on a project that includes research, job pipeline and work force development initiatives. The goal is to help the Energy Department retain and attract a knowledgeable work force, said Dr. Tina Marshall-Bradley, the special assistant to the provost.
The research initiative will provide opportunities for professors and Paine students to conduct bioremediation research. The research will be done at Paine and Department of Energy sites, including SRS.
The job pipeline initiative is designed to encourage pupils to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and math through a curriculum that starts at middle school and continues through graduate school levels.
Through the work force development initiative, Paine will create workshops and courses and provide training for those working in environmental positions within the Energy Department.
Paine is one of several historically black colleges and universities that will receive funding for projects in science, technology, engineering and math, and it's the only one in Georgia, said Brandon Brown, the school's vice president of institutional advancement.
U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., was instrumental in getting the Energy Department to provide funding for the institutions.
"As a graduate of an HBCU, I know the tremendous value these institutions provide for their students and their communities," Clyburn said in an e-mailed statement. "Today there is a severe shortage of minorities entering the STEM fields -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This Department of Energy funding will enable Paine College to graduate more students in these disciplines to help build a more diverse work force for the future."
Justus, you happy now? I'm sure this would be a problem for you if it were Augusta State that received the money. Personally, I hope it works but honestly it's a gift to shut Clyburn up and make him look good.
Clyburn better hope it leads to more students in the STEM areas, but if they graduated in RC don't get your hopes up too high...most graduates can't do simple math and thus can't even count change back at the register...I agree w wildman...sounds a lot like 'hush' money.
Can we call this pork?--What a waste of taxpayers money. my 2 cents
...happy thoughts. You all are real characters huh? It's called progress. Take a panoramic view at actually what's taking place, it's a good thing. Is looking outside yourself (or political ideals) that hard...really? Why so jaded, take a jog.
Please. HBCUs will not produce educated workers or citizens. If the students were good enough to begin with, they would go to real schools.
What are the HBCU's getting yearly from taxpayer funded gifts such as this? Wouldn't their be an uproar if their was HWCU?(Historically White Colleges and Universities)
Congratulations to Paine College. As an alumna of Paine, I am very pleased with the work that Dr. George Bradley and his staff are doing to improve the academic resources available to the students. As for those of you who continue to demonstrate your ignorance about HBCUs, remember this: the only reason HBCUs and other African-American organizations exist is because we weren't allowed to attend or join the white organizations that were already in place. UGA didn't desegregate its campus until 1961. Many of my friends and I have continued our education and have received graduate degrees in our respective fields of study. We all feel that the education we received at the HBCUs we attended more than adequately prepared us for the rigors of graduate work. Again, hats off to Paine College!
UGA's president preaches diversity, and how the school needs more minority students but the numbers for black students is still low. Is it because we as a people still want to be with those of like appearance and social background?
historically black colleges are so racist. it says black right in the name! why do african-americans and certain others have to make slavery and inequalities that stem from race all about race?
freespreach, then write the English dept @ paine. Ranting about alumnus's writing skills on an internet blog is pointless. So many negative nancys on this website.
dits, I'd laugh if I didn't think you were serious.
Nikasha, don't you just love the attitude of DiSGustans?
I will never critize money going to education... HELLO! HELLO!
Excellent point Jack 234!!!!! If we put half the money into education as the general public dumps into religion then we would be a much better country. This is money that is very well spent, and I personally am happier knowing that my tax dollars went for something like this.
I am graduate of Paine College and now currently a graduate student at Augusta State University and the education and preparation I recieved at Paine College has put me head and shoulders above most students in my graduate program. It's a shame that some of you still hold on to a Jim Crow elitist mindset. Certainly be aware that HBCU's will accept any person regardless of race if they meet criteria for admission. The tag of these instutions, HBCU, did not stem from the fact that they exclude certain people from attending but rather because people of color were excluded from attending other colleges. By the way, for those of you who dared to read this article, you may want to know that the journalist is a graduate of Paine College. GO LIONS!!!!!
Justbeasy, no, it's YOU who took advantage of your educational opportunities and did the work. A university or college doesn't prepare people for grad school; they have to have a lot of drive, determination, a huge work ethic, be able to delay gratification and be very disciplined and like to learn.
There is a reason that only 7% of the population holds graduate degrees. It is hard, hard work.
You will do just fine.
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