Dow Foundation Donation Brings Media Centers to WVSU and K-12 Classrooms
1/28/2011
The Dow Chemical Foundation has donated $50,000 to West Virginia State University (WVSU) for a new and bold initiative that brings media centers into WVSU and K-12th grade classrooms in the greater Kanawha Valley.
”Improving science and technology education has been a high priority for Dow for many years and is front-and center in our global 2015 Community Success Goal,” said Jim Guidarini, Dow Chemical Vice President and West Virginia Operations Site Leader. “We are excited to partner with WVSU to make this a reality for students in the Kanawha Valley.”
The purpose of the initiative is to create and maintain the Dow Media Center of the Future at WVSU and four of the thirteen Partnership schools in Kanawha County. The donation will provide sustained technology integration instruction and staff development to teacher preparation candidates and practicing teachers to improve student achievement primarily in the areas of mathematics, science, reading and writing. The donation will also support conducting research, publishing and distributing research findings, and creating staff development materials for other public school systems and higher education institutions regionally, nationally and internationally.
“By bringing state of the art technology and training to students today, we are preparing West Virginia for a more skilled workforce tomorrow. It is an extremely exciting time and the University is proud to be Dow’s partner for this honorable task,” said WVSU President Hazo W. Carter, Jr. The Dow Chemical Foundation’s donation will be housed in the College of Professional Studies, the Department of Education, at WVSU, with $40,000 going directly into the program and $10,000 going into a Dow Chemical Endowment that will help support the program in the future.
This proposed project is consistent with the mission statements of Dow Chemical, West Virginia State University, Kanawha County Schools and the West Virginia State University-West Virginia Partnership for Teacher Quality (WVSU – WVPTQ). (1)Dow Chemical is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. (2) West Virginia State University is committed to meet higher education and economic development needs of the state and region through innovative teaching and applied research. (3) Kanawha County Schools is committed to providing a world-class education that ensures success for every student in the 21st century. (4) WVSU-WVPTQ is committed to improving teacher education, teacher professional development and, therefore, teacher quality across West Virginia.
For more information please contact WVSU Planning and Advancement (304) 766-3020 or Randy Fischback , Public & Government Affairs for Dow Chemical: (925) 432-5122.