Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (1888PressRelease)
March 31, 2007 - RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation announced at the GlaxoSmithKline Women In Science Scholars Program Spring Conference today that it has increased by $725,000 its endowed scholarships for undergraduate women science students across North Carolina at the participating schools.
The increased endowment will allow 28 colleges and universities to strengthen their scholarship programs as part of the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Women in Science Scholars Program. The program was established to encourage and support female undergraduates in North Carolina to pursue careers in the sciences, and to raise awareness of job opportunities in various scientific fields. Traditionally, women have been underrepresented in science and science-related careers.
“This additional endowment will allow our partner schools to make better use of their investments and to meet special needs of students with additional funds or opportunities to study science,” said Marilyn Foote-Hudson, Executive Director of the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation. “In today’s world, more than ever, we need women making contributions through science, and this additional endowment is aimed at meeting that need.”
The Foundation launched the Women in Science Scholars Program in 1993 by establishing more than $250,000 in endowed scholarships at 11 North Carolina colleges and universities. Over the years, the program has expanded to the current level of 29 schools, with the addition of four schools last year. Currently, 28 of the colleges and universities have active scholarship programs; the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is still in the process of implementing its program.
The partner schools are: Appalachian State University, Barton College, Bennett College, Campbell University, Davidson College, East Carolina University, Elizabeth City State University, Elon University, Fayetteville State University, Gardner-Webb University, Guilford College, Johnson C. Smith University, Lenoir-Rhyne College, Meredith College, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical College, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Queens University of Charlotte, St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Saint Augustine’s College, University of North Carolina at Asheville, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Western Carolina University and Winston-Salem State University.
Annual meetings and spring conferences with scientists (correct?) are a few of the additional benefits of the scholarship awards. The mentoring examples highlight career opportunities that abound for these women with science backgrounds and raise awareness of the vast and changing scientific environment through successful research and development opportunities.
The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation, chartered in 1986, also awards grants to nonprofit community agencies, universities and other partners for programs that promote the sciences, health and education. Since 1987, the Foundation has provided $37.4 million in grants, with another $600,000 approved as part of multi-year commitments. The Foundation supports programs in North Carolina that help to meet the educational needs of today’s society and of future generations.
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Mary Ann Rhyne
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