Sonja Alexander                         February 23, 1998
Headquarters, Washington, DC
(Phone: 202/358-1761)

Steve Roy
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
(Phone: 205/544-6535)

RELEASE:  98-34

NASA CELEBRATES THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF 
MINORITY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS

     As part of a continuing effort to partner with minority 
universities to expand their involvement in the Nation's 
science and technology challenges, NASA is sponsoring the 
second annual University Research Center Technical Conference 
this week at the Von Braun Center, 700 Monroe Street, 
Huntsville, AL.  The conference is hosted by Alabama A&M 
University and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, both 
located in Huntsville.

     To achieve its goal to increase research opportunities for 
both disadvantaged and disabled students, NASA has established 
University Research Centers at minority institutions-including 
11 historically black colleges and three Hispanic-Serving 
Institutions.  These centers provide students and faculty a 
NASA focus for research in various branches of aerospace 
sciences.

     The program highlights the significant inroads NASA is 
making to address the historical imbalances among U.S. science 
and engineering advanced degree recipients.  Last year, 262 
faculty members conducted NASA research with 549 participating 
students.  This resulted in 451 peer-reviewed research papers 
accepted for publication, 11 new patents and 10 new commercial 
products in development.  The program also resulted in students 
attaining 106 bachelor's degrees, 76 master's degrees and eight 
doctorates in science and technology fields.

     The University Research Center program was started in 
1991, and has grown from an initial seven universities to the 
fourteen current participating institutions.  Working as a 
partner with the research centers, NASA involves students and 
faculty from minority institutions in producing technical 
innovations through opportunities in aerospace research.

     Funding for the NASA University Research Center program is 
provided jointly by the NASA Office of Equal Opportunity 
Programs and the NASA Strategic Enterprises, including Earth 
Science, Space Science, Human Exploration and Development of 
Space, and Aeronautics and Space Transportation Technology.

     More information about the NASA University Research Center 
Program can be found at:
  http://mured.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/WWW/AWARDS/URC/awards.html 

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