Recently, Spelman College, a historically Black college for women located in Atlanta, Georgia, hosted a Department of Energy (DOE) visit and a commemorative ceremony in the school’s Albro Falconer Manley Science Center.  The event recognized the more than $2.5 million of DOE funding that helped establish the Spelman College Center for Environmental Science, Education, and Research. In appreciation of DOE’s support, the Environmental Science Alcove was established as part of the Center for Environmental Science, Education and Research.

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, President of Spelman College, provided remarks about the significance of DOE’s support of this historically Black women’s college.  “The partnership established in 1996 between Spelman College and the Department of Energy has yielded great results,” Dr. Tatum said.  “Through DOE's generous contributions of more than $2.5 million to the college, we were able to establish the Spelman College Center for Environmental Science Education and Research.  It is with such support that Spelman has become one of the top producers of Black graduates who go on to pursue science and engineering doctoral degrees,” she concluded.

The Department of Energy plays a vital role in supporting institutions of higher education and has a long history of supporting minority educational institutions.  The Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act, Section 3167(b), “Education Partnerships, as amended,” states that:

The Secretary of Energy shall require the director of each national laboratory, and may require the head of any science facility, to increase the participation of Historically Black Colleges or Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, or tribal colleges in any activity that increases the capacity of the Historically Black Colleges or Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, or tribal colleges to train personnel in science or engineering.
 
Several Energy Department representatives attended the ceremony including Cynthia Anderson, Office of Environmental Management; Annie Whatley, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity; Rita Sheffield, Savannah River Site; and Malika Hobbs, National Nuclear Security Administration. 

With continued support and funding from DOE, partnerships with minority institutions will help ensure a skilled and diverse scientific work force for the future.

Media contact(s):
Jacqueline Johnson, 202-586-5806