For Immediate Release

December 20, 2004

FUNDING FOR PLU CENTER APPROVED BY CONGRESS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pacific Lutheran University's Morken Center for Learning and Technology will receive a grant of $950,000 as a result of an amendment added to the Education Department's appropriations bill for the current fiscal year, U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks said today.

The appropriations bill was ultimately passed by Congress as part of a multi-agency spending bill in November and it was signed into law by President Bush last week.

The grant will be made through the department's Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education program, which recognizes innovative approaches to college and university educational programming as well as initiatives to assure equal opportunities for all students, the congressman said.   

"The funds will help PLU fulfill its role as the headquarters for the Tacoma/Pierce County and Thurston County Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) program," Rep. Dicks said.  He added that MESA has demonstrated a proven track record of success in supporting and inspiring under-represented minority and female public school students in grades K-12 to pursue college degrees in science, technology and business-related disciplines.

The funds will be used to fund technology, equipment, and programming expenses for the MESA Program, the congressman said.   It will increase opportunities for minority students and boost the number of highly-skilled college graduates in the fields of math, science, and engineering, he said.

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