A List
12/8/03

ST. LAWRENCE AWARDED MCNAIR PROGRAM GRANT

CANTON – St. Lawrence University is one of 18 institutions awarded a new grant 
this year through the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Award 
Program, which is aimed at encouraging students in underrepresented groups to 
pursue doctoral studies and is one of the U.S. Department of Education Federal 
TRIO Programs. 
      Ten students have been named McNair Scholars for the fall 2003 semester, 
officially launching the program. Each is paired with a faculty mentor and is 
conducting in-depth research this academic year under the mentor's guidance. 
Plans call for the program to serve 11 seniors and 11 juniors each academic 
year for the next five years.
      Named for Astronaut Ronald E. McNair, who died in the 1986 Challenger 
space shuttle explosion, the program was launched in 1989 and exists at more 
than 150 colleges and universities across the country. The U.S. Department of 
Education has provided St. Lawrence $220,000 to fund the program this year.
      St. Lawrence's McNair Program, titled "Exploration, Nurturing and 
Commitment to Excellence on the Way to the Ph.D.," is designed to increase the 
number of talented students from under-represented groups in continuing their 
education, with the goal of achieving the doctoral degree. Among the groups 
considered underrepresented in doctoral programs are African Americans; Hispanic 
Americans; Native Americans; and those from economically disadvantaged families 
who are first-generation college students. The St. Lawrence McNair Program will 
encourage the pursuit of graduate study leading to the Ph.D. by involving 
students in multiple research-intensive experiences   and extensive advising 
by faculty mentors. In addition, students named McNair Scholars receive 
grant-funded stipends for their research work and increased opportunities 
to visit graduate schools and attend professional conferences, among other 
benefits.
      President Daniel F. Sullivan stated, "To be selected for this grant at 
this time is very significant testimony to our readiness and resolve, as well 
as our seriousness of purpose, around issues of diversity. It is an honor to 
have received the award, which will do much to support St. Lawrence's academic 
priorities."
      Margaret Kent Bass, associate dean for faculty affairs, is the principal 
investigator and faculty research coordinator of the University's program and 
Carol A. Kissam, director of the University's Collegiate Science and Technology 
Program (CSTEP), is the project director.
      Current St. Lawrence McNair Scholars are Travis J. Atkinson '04, 
Harrisville; Travis T. Babcock '04, Lowville; Ohene Cornelius '04, New York City; 
Prisca N. Fall-Eyoum '04, Washington, DC; Jeovanni Guzman '04, Bronx; Ian B. 
Hubbard '04, Farmington, ME; Kandyce D. McGill '04, New York City; Daniel M. 
Ramos '04, Maspeth, NY; Sydney A. Seifert '04, Canton; and Tara L. Smith '04, 
Laurel, DE.
      St. Lawrence and SUNY Oswego are the only institutions in New York State 
to receive new awards through the McNair Program this year. 
      Federal TRIO Programs are funded under Title IV of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 and are referred to as the TRIO Programs (initially just three 
programs). While student financial aid programs help students overcome financial 
barriers to higher education, TRIO programs help students overcome class, 
social and cultural barriers to higher education.

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