Prince George's Education Notes

Capitol College Pledges $500,000 to New Program

Capitol College in Laurel has pledged $500,000 in financial aid to its Emerging Leader Program for incoming first-year students. The new initiative is an outreach and retention program designed to create future leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

The program offers college awareness outreach to middle and high school students, career education and services for community college students, summer programs, leadership training and supplemental instruction for current students.

"Students who participate in the Emerging Leader Program will have access to unique training and development opportunities to supplement their educational experience in the classroom," said Dianne Veenstra, college vice president for planning and assessment. "All aspects of this initiative expand our outreach to area middle schools, high schools and community colleges and improve retention and graduation of our students as we develop their leadership skills in STEM fields."

Aspiring Fashionistas Can Apply for Scholarship

The Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce and the D.C. Fashion Foundation have established the Project FUNDway scholarship program.

Applications are being accepted for a $5,000 scholarship for high school seniors and college students pursuing careers in the fashion industry. The scholarship is designed for those who have shown academic promise and a strong interest in fashion design, merchandising, the business of fashion or marketing, and who can demonstrate financial need.

Three finalists will be invited to compete at a Project FUNDway runway competition in which their collections will be featured. The competition will be judged by an expert panel representing various facets of the fashion industry.

The winner will receive, in addition to the $5,000 scholarship, an internship with a local design group, private garment construction lessons from established designers, a full-page design spread in local magazines, a complimentary course in sketching and a free one-year membership in the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce. Applications must be postmarked by Aug. 31.

For eligibility information and an application, go to http://www.gwfcc.org or contact Maggy Francois at education@gwfcc.org.

Ernst & Young Gives $250,000 to U-Md.

The Ernst & Young Foundation presented the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business a $250,000 gift for a freshman orientation program and endowment. The two-year program includes experiential learning, co-curricular activities and events designed to create a cohesive learning community linking students, faculty and staff members, corporate partners and alumni.

Ernst & Young has given more than $1 million to the business school. Past gifts have gone toward the construction of a classroom, the creation of two professorships and student scholarships. The firm is traditionally one of the top campus recruiters among undergraduates.

Upper Marlboro Student Chosen for Internship

Lincoln University student Keonie Morrisey of Upper Marlboro was selected as a summer intern for the University of Delaware's College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment program, one of the longest-running internship programs in the nation. Morrisey and 16 other students started a 10-week program of graduate-level study and research in June that was partially funded by a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates grant.

Interns work one-on-one with faculty and research staff members on individual projects in chemical, physical and biological oceanography, marine biology, marine geology and marine biochemistry. This summer, the students focused on topics such as sea spray, solar energy and coastal mapping.