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.  

                              -end-