Purdue News

MEDIA ADVISORY

To: Journalists

From: Purdue University News Service

Date: Aug. 24, 2004

Subject: Thursday (Aug. 26) announcement regarding Purdue statewide scholarship program

On Thursday (Aug. 26) Purdue officials will make a major announcement regarding the university's Opportunity Awards, a new program designed to pay for tuition, books, and room and board for an incoming freshman from each of the state's 92 counties. The announcement is in conjunction with a dinner for a group of freshmen who are the first recipients of the awards.

While the dinner is not open to the public or media, there are two opportunities on Thursday prior to the dinner for journalists wishing to cover the announcement.

At 5:45 p.m. there will be a photo opportunity on the steps of Hovde Hall with students who have received the awards. From 6:30-7 p.m. university officials will make an announcement about the scholarship program on the Elliott Hall of Music stage. After the announcement, a group of students who have received the award also will be available for interviews. Prior to this time, the students will not know the specifics of the announcement, so journalists are requested to not ask questions prior to the scheduled interview period.

The Purdue News Service also will have an embargoed release, which will be distributed to media attending the announcement and will be e-mailed to journalists around the state.

CONTACT: Jesica Webb, Purdue News Service marketing coordinator, (765) 494-2079, jwebb@purdue.edu