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Elizabeth, NJ Chosen for Alliance/Merck Ciencia (Science) Hispanic Scholars Program

Friday, May 23, 2008 General News
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ELIZABETH, N.J., May 22 The National Alliancefor Hispanic Health (the Alliance) announced today the establishment of theAlliance/Merck Ciencia Scholars Program, a new partnership improving Hispanicstudent access to higher education and degrees in science, technology,engineering and math (STEM). The Program is made possible through a $4million grant from The Merck Company Foundation, the philanthropic arm of theresearch-based pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., Inc. This is the largestgrant to date that The Merck Company Foundation has made to the field ofHispanic education.
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The Alliance will work with the Merck Institute for Science Education(MISE) to implement the Program. This partnership builds upon the Alliance's35-year record of work in the Hispanic community and expertise in supportingyouth and improving the science base and the expertise of MISE in improvingscience education. During the next five years, the Program will provide 50promising Hispanic high school students from Elizabeth, NJ; Brownsville, TX;and Los Angeles, CA with $42,500 in college scholarships and internshipsupport to pursue STEM degrees. These predominantly Hispanic communities havea history in working with the Alliance and MISE. In addition, 125 Hispaniccollege students nationwide will receive $2,000 scholarships.
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"Building on a distinguished history of Hispanic pioneers in science, anew generation of discovery begins today with this landmark investment of $4million in Hispanic students," said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO ofthe Alliance, today in announcing establishment of the Alliance/Merck CienciaHispanic Scholars Program. "It gives us great pride to be working with Merckin opening this new phase of the Alliance's innovative Ciencia initiative tosupport Hispanic students and improve the nation's science base."

"We are pleased to partner with the Alliance on a program that gives thesebright and highly qualified students with a passion for the sciences theopportunity to contribute and make a real difference in advancing thesefields," said Adam H. Schechter, President, Global Pharmaceuticals, Merck &Co., Inc. "Merck is a company committed to scientific innovation and helpingto develop and mentor scientific talent has been a long-standing, importantfocus for the Company."

According to Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, "We need to support anew generation of scientists and mathematicians to develop the kind ofadvancements that help mankind and to help our nation stay at the top of thecurve in the global economy. There are far too many Latino students who havethe drive and desire to receive a higher education but lack the financialsupport to do so. I applaud the Merck Company Foundation for making thisinvestment in our students, in the Latino community and in our nation'sfuture. And I am thrilled that the Alliance/Merck Ciencia Scholars Programwill be launched right here in Elizabeth."

"In Elizabeth's schools we teach our students to think, learn, achieve,and care," said Pablo Munoz, Superintendent of the Elizabeth Public Schools."We are proud that our students are meeting science and math challenges suchas an earlier introduction to Algebra and taking advantage of hands-on scienceeducation through our Full Option Science System. Now, being one of threedistricts chosen for the Alliance/Merck Ciencia Hispanic Scholars Program,Elizabeth's students who have shown promise for science careers will have thefinancial, mentorship, and internship support they need to achieve theirpotential."

Superintendent Munoz emphasized, "Merck has been an critical partner inour Keys to Excellence program and through their employee volunteers and theMerck Institute for Science Education have been important leaders in improvingscience education in our schools. We are honored that Merck and the Alliancehave chosen to take the next step for Elizab
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