This past spring, the foundation awarded the University of Georgia a $4 million grant to “enhance educational opportunities for Hispanic students in Georgia.” It was the second time in four years the foundation had given UGA a significant grant to benefit the state’s young Hispanic population. In 2002, UGA received $3.5 million from the foundation to launch a major initiative to improve education for Georgia’s Hispanic students.
In 2005, Georgia Tech began investing additional resources into recruitment and retention of Hispanic students as the result of a $2.3 million grant by the foundation. The grant was a follow-up gift to a 2001 donation of $4.25 million, which had helped the school create permanent scholarships and fellowship endowments.
“It’s not just a matter of increasing the numbers of Latinos coming in, but it’s important what you do to help them to succeed as students and graduates of the institution,” says Dr. Rigoberto Hernandez, the Goizueta Foundation Junior professor and associate professor of chemistry at Georgia Tech.
“We have been able to mentor and provide them an academic home here,” he adds.
— By Ronald Roach
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
