November 14, 2007
Historically Black Institution Visitation Program under way
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Some 40 to 50 students and two nationally known speakers are visiting Purdue University for a program aimed at minority students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies.The 19th Historically Black Institution Visitation Program takes place today (Wednesday, Nov. 14) through Friday (Nov. 16) on campus. Undergraduates from 11 historically black U.S. institutions, along with the University of Puerto Rico, will meet with Purdue faculty, administrators and graduate students, and tour campus facilities to consider the university as a choice for their graduate studies.
"This has been an exceedingly successful program for us through the years," said Dwight E. Lewis, director of multicultural programs for Purdue's graduate school and co-founder of the program. "We started out with 25 students from four campuses visiting in 1988, the first year, and it has grown since.
"The result is that minority students who would not have attended otherwise, are successfully matriculating at Purdue for graduate programs."
More than 700 minority undergraduate honors students have visited Purdue's campus as part of the program over 19 years, and 200 have enrolled at the university.
In addition to selling the students on the opportunities at Purdue, graduate school leaders also traditionally bring in speakers of renown. This year, authors Erin Mitchell and Howard Adams will provide keynote addresses.
Mitchell wrote "Born Colored: Life Before Bloody Sunday," a book about generations of one African-American family living in Alabama and Georgia before 1965. She will speak at 6:30 p.m. today (Wednesday, Nov. 14) in the East Faculty Lounge of the Purdue Memorial Union.
Mitchell taught 38 years in Chicago Public Schools and began a writing career after retiring.
Adams will speak at 8 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 15) in the North Ballroom of the Purdue Memorial Union. He is president and founder of H.G. Adams & Associates Inc., a consulting company that provides career, personal and professional development services to educational, governmental and industrial organizations. He previously was executive director of the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science Inc., based at the University of Notre Dame.
He has spoken at more than 500 colleges and universities, and his latest book "Get UP With Something On Your Mind" offers 25 lessons for leading a meaningful and successful life.
Adams was named by President Ronald Reagan in 1989 to the U.S. Congressional Task Force on Women, Minorities and the Handicapped in Science and Technology; and President Bill Clinton awarded him the U.S. Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.
Writer: Jim Bush, (765) 494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Source: Dwight E. Lewis (765) 494-3232, delewis@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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