June
7, 2002
U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie
Whitman Announces a New Environmental Educational Partnership
with Lincoln University
Lincoln University, Philadelphia’s Lincoln High School,
and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator
Christie Whitman today (June 7, 2002) announced a new,
innovative environmental educational partnership of the
University, Philadelphia Academies, Inc., and the EPA.
"Lincoln
University is very pleased to join in this educational
partnership with Philadelphia Academies, Inc., and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency," said Lincoln
University President Ivory V. Nelson, Ph.D. "This
innovative environmental program is a good fit for Lincoln
University because it is consistent with the University's
academic mission to provide students with greater educational
and career opportunities in the sciences as they prepare
to live and work successfully in a global society requiring
technological sophistication.
"
Speaking at a press conference at Lincoln High in Philadelphia,
EPA Administrator Whitman, the former governor of the
State of New Jersey, agreed with President Nelson.
“We
see tremendous benefits in collaborating with Lincoln
University and the Philadelphia Academies to broaden the
horizons for Philadelphia high school students in the
environmental field. We are proud to be able to support
this partnership with EPA’s direct involvement and
a $50,000 grant for a summer academy in 2003 (to be located
at Lincoln University),” said Administrator Whitman.
This
is the first federal environmental education partnership
developed to respond to the No Child Be Left Behind Act
of 2001. This law increases support for educating American
youth and expanding higher education opportunities - -
particularly for students from minority and disadvantaged
backgrounds - - and especially those at historically black
colleges and universities.
Administrator
Whitman was joined at the signing agreement ceremony by
Lincoln University President Nelson; Natalie S. Allen,
president, Philadelphia Academies, Inc.; David Kipphut,
principal, Philadelphia’s Lincoln High School; Donald
S. Welsh, regional administrator, U.S. EPA Region III;
and students from Lincoln High School.
“This
new program will provide new academic and intellectual
opportunities for all of the partners, and also expand
career opportunities for students in the environmental
field,” said Don Welsh, regional administrator for
the mid-Atlantic region.
Founded in 1854, Lincoln University provides the best
elements of a liberal arts and sciences-based undergraduate
core curriculum and selected graduate programs to meet
the needs of students living in a highly technological
and global society. Besides its main campus in southern
Chester County, Lincoln also operates the Center for Graduate
and Continuing Education in Philadelphia. During the 2001-2002
academic year, the University enrolled 1,871 undergraduate
and graduate students. In 2004, Lincoln University will
celebrate its 150th anniversary as the nation's oldest
Historical Black University.
Lincoln
University is ranked first in Pennsylvania and second
in the nation in graduating African Americans with baccalaureate
degrees in the physical sciences -- biology, chemistry,
and physics. Lincoln is also the only university in the
Commonwealth and one of but 20 universities nationwide
where 40 percent or more of its physics graduates are
women.
Philadelphia
Academies, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated
to addressing youth’s educational and career needs
through academic programs that are meaningful and productive.
Started in 1969, the Philadelphia Academies, Inc. currently
has thirteen career areas designed to meet needs of the
city’s economy by training a workforce that understands
the basics of its major industries. Business and community
partners work closely with the Academies to broaden their
education beyond the classroom.
The
Philadelphia Academies, Inc. is one of the 27 national
academies under the auspices of the National Career Academy
Coalition. The only Environmental Technology Academy in
Philadelphia is at Lincoln High School. It is one of the
most well-established environmental high school programs
in the country. It is a college preparatory program that
combines an academic roster with courses in environmental
concepts, theories and skills. Students use the latest
technology to monitor and analyze environmental problems.
Over ninety percent of these graduates go on to institutions
of higher learning and many now are working in the environmental
profession.
Although
Lincoln University and Lincoln High share the same name,
they are not affiliated.
