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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 29, 1989)
/i" ■ 3 he Battalion TATE & LOCAL iday, September 29,1989 New minority program receives grant 3y Steven Patrick [ The Battalion Staff High-achieving minority students pursu- ig research careers in the science and engi- eering fields at Texas A&M will receive ad- itional funds and support soon thanks to a 434,523 grant from the National Science oundation (NSF). The NSF grant will support a new pro ram, beginning Monday, which will provide ualified minority students with funding in e form of annual stipends, research sup- ortand summer internships. The program, Research Careers for Mi- ority Scholars (RCMS), is designed to en courage minority students to pursue research in the fields of engineering and science as un dergraduates and to continue this research at the graduate level. Mike Cronan, senior academic business ad ministrator of engineering, said he believes that the new program will increase A&M’s competitiveness with other well-known re search programs. “Texas A&M is in competition with univer sities such as MIT and Stanford,” Cronan said. “We believe that with the additional funding and prestige of the NSF grant, we will attract better quality students, with the eventual goal of getting these students into the graduate program.” The RCMS project involves 26 students from the engineering and science Fields who hold an average grade point ratio of 3.5. The majority of these are upper level students, al though some freshmen and sophomores are involved. Cronan stressed the fact that Fifth- year seniors also are included because of the difFiculty of completing an engineering or sci ence degree within four years. Students involved in the program will re ceive $1,000 stipends their freshmen year and $2,500 per year afterward for research in their Fields. Students also will have access to a general fund providing money for related re search expenses. In addition to these forms of funding, the program allows students to gain professional experience through summer employment with research industries. Herbert Richardson, director of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station, said the project will benefit th yolved. the research industries in- “The program also will be important for industry because it will give them access to a pipeline of talented minority engineering and science professionals at the oaccalaureate and graduate levels,” Richardson said. The RCMS program will be funded pri marily by the NSF until 1993, after which it is expected to be funded solely by private indus try, Cronan said. e elves ini , do ve i , just It eed in i! :one uli : all neei :h. Sot of love art is tf Vt com ies. Bui kejutd hoebe ’ s Home offers help to b attered women fy Cindy McMillian f The Battalion Staff A fellow employee comes to work [earing sunglasses to hide a black e. Last week she showed up with rarm in a sling and said she “fell wn the stairs.” You suspect she’s ding something, but you don’t iow how to help. Phoebe’s Home, a Bryan-College ation shelter for battered women d their children, is looking for vol- ateers. Susan Stegall, the volun- ers coordinator, said no experi- ceor training is necessary. "You just have to care about the ople involved,” she said. Those who feel uncomfortable ut interacting with the abused jomen can volunteer in other areas, egall said. Phoebe’s Home needs ople to help with child care, cleri- duties, fundraising, community ■vareness projects and donations pleclion. An orientation for new volunteers | ill be Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 m. Linda Cloud, administrator of things, but they can’t understand why women are beaten and stay around,” she said. Leaving an abusive situation is dif ficult because the women don’t feel confident or capable, she said. They feel alone and isolated from family and friends, and they don’t have enough money to find housing. “Housing is a major problem in Bryan and College Station,” Cloud said. “It takes $800 or $900 dollars to get into an apartment because of all the deposits.” Phoebe’s Home allows women and their children to stay free for 30 days and receive food, clothing, transportation and child care. Most women come because their basic needs are not being met anywhere else. Cloud said. The women also receive in-house counseling from members of the Texas A&M psychology department who volunteer their time. “The women need emotional hea ling,” Cloud said. “The emotional trauma is incredible.” Cloud said providing definite an swers or solutions to their problems is difficult. “In 30 days, we hope they realize some options and some reasons why it happened.” Stegall, a senior political science major from Alvin, described work ing with the women as rewarding. “It’s not like writing a check for charity,” she said. “You’re spending the time and seeing the results.” Stegall said anyone who can spend at leas three hours a week is encour aged to help. The location of Phoebe’s Home is kept confidential, so those interested in volunteering should contact Cloud before the orientation at 775- 5355 to get more information. Those unable to attend Saturday’s orientation may contact Cloud or at tend the next orientation session Oct. 14. Locals get homes with ‘89 for ’89’ National group takes plan to B-CS By Cindy McMillian Of The Battalion Staff Solving America’s homeless problem is an overwhelming task, but Bryan-College Station resi dents can help take the first step by providing homes in this com munity. The local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, a national organi zation that builds houses for needy families, begins its “89 for ’89” fundraiser this week. Habitat members hope to convince each of the 115,000 residents of Bryan-College Station to donate 89 cents in 1989, enough money to complete the group’s first house. Patricia Burk, treasurer and chairman of fundraising for Hab itat, said she thinks the group will get a lot of support from the com See Habitat/Page 8 J.C. Penney chairman outlines business strategy By Todd Connelley Of The Battalion Staff iute..pac that hingsjf hoebe’s Home, said she will show a m, provide some information and (some of the clients speak at orien- tion to help volunteers better un- rstand what they’re dealing with. “People can understand a lot of William R. Howell, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the J.C. Penney Company, detailed the strategy used to bring Penney’s to the top of the retail business in a speech presented by the Center for Retailing Studies. Howell, speaking to a full house in Rudder Forum, described how he led his company through a complete metamorphosis begin ning in the early part of this decade. “No major retail company in America has changed as much as J.C. Penney,” Howell said. He said that the major changes occurred when he decided to improve the stores fash ion credibility. “For 80 years we were known for commod ity merchandise,” he said. “Our research shows that we are now being recognized as a leader in the fashion industry. “In 1983 we eliminated appliances, hard ware, lawn and garden, automotive and res taurants from our stores,” he said. “We de cided to focus more of our attention on men’s and women’s apparel.” Howell said Penney’s has gotten a jump on other retailers by becoming the first company to utilize the television industry. The Direct Broadcast Television System links corporate headquarters in Dallas to buy ers throughout the world via satellite. “DBS is a way for us to view different mer chandise quickly and efficiently,” he said. The most profitable change has been an ef fort to turn Penney’s catalog department into a $1 billion industry. “Our goal with the catalog is for the con sumer to think that catalog and retail sales are one entity,” Howell explained. “Right now we are No. 2 in catalog sales; by 1990 we want to be No. 1. “Now that all these major changes are be hind us, we can concentrate on making full use of the talent and skills our employees pos sess and focus it on the consumer,” he said. When asked what advice he would give the average college student, Howell stated that the most important thing is a good self-image. “There is no way at the age of 20 that you can have the same perspective of the world that you do at 30,” he explained. “You have to get comfortable with yourself and always say wnat you believe in.” Howell concluded his presentation with a short videotape about Penney’s founder, the late James Cash Penney. it persii it, iA hip if*: ove )Ut ttiii for love, ices. lit an’tfii . Mayl and in :e in jounii' wist (o' Scholastic Opportunities For Outstanding Undergraduates^" ^ The following scholarships are currently open for competition: rican Truman Scholarship Sponsored by: Harry S. Truman Scholarship Founda tion . For: Current college sophomores intending to pur sue careers in government service of all kinds, including scientific research. Terms: Up to $7,000 annually for tuition, fees, room, board, books for last two undergraduate years and up to two more years of graduate study. Application Procedure: By nomination of Texas A&M University Application Deadline: November 3, 1989. National Endowment For The Humanities Younger Scholar Awards Sponsored By: NEH For: Current Freshman, Sophomores, & Juniors Terms: $2,200 for Summer research and writing in the Humanities; $400 of which is allotted to your advisor for the project. Application Procedure: Direct application by student and advisor. Application Deadline: November 1, 1989. Time College Achievement Award Sponsored by: Time Magazine For: Juniors Terms: One time cash award of $3,000, trip to New York. Application Procedure: Direct application, applications will be available in the Honors Program Office late in the Fall term. Application Deadline: February 1, 1990. >, mo: 1 hat be rld- nt to o Smithsonian Internships Sponsored by: The Smithsonian Institute For: Undergraduate and GraduateStudents Terms: Stipends vary with program, positions are 3-4 months in duration. Positions: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; National Air and Space Museum; National Museum of African Art; National Museum of American Art; Na tional Zoological Park; Office of Architectural History and Historical Preservation; Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Application Procedure: Individual Application Application Deadline: (Var\ According to Position.) Smithsonian 10 Week Graduate Student Fellowships: Sponsored by: The Smithsonian Institute For: Individuals formally enrolled in a Graduate Pro gram and who will have completed one semester of such prior to die appointment period. Terms: Stipend of $250 per week for 10 weeks. Travel to the Smithsonian to conduct research. Application Procedure: Direct application and faculty evaluation of proposal. Application Deadline: Postmarked by January 15, 1990. Mellon Fellowships in the Humanities Sponsored by: Andrew W. Mellon Foundation For: Current college Seniors. Terms: $11,000 annually plus tuition and fees for up to two years (possibly three) of graduate study in History, English, Philosophy, Languages, or American Studies. Application Procedure: After nomination by a faculty member (no professor may nominate more than two stu dents.) Nomination Deadline: First week of November. National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships Sponsored by: NSF/National Research Council. For: C hirrent college seniors. Terms: $12,900 annually plus tuition and fees for stu dents pursuing graduate study in science or engineering. Application Procedure: Direct application by student. Application Deadline: November 9, 1989. Applications available in the University Honors Program Office in early October. National Science Foundation Minority Graduate Fellowships Sponsored by: NSF/National Research Council For: Current college seniors of American Indian, Black, Hispanic, Native Alaskan, or Native Pacific Islander background. Terms: $12,900 annually plus tuition and fees for three years for minority students pursuing graduate study in the sciences, engineering or veterinary medicine. Application Procedure: Direct Application by student. Application Deadline: November 9, 1989. Applications available in the University Honors Program Office in early October. Ford Foundation Doctoral Fellowships for Minorities Sponsored by: Ford Foundation/National Research Council For: Current college seniors of American Indian, Black, Hispanic, Native Alaskan, or Native Pacific Islander background. Terms: $10,350 annually plus tuition and fees for up to three years of graduate study in the humanities, social and behavioral sciences, engineering, mathematics, or physical and biological sciences. Application Procedure: Direct application by student. Application Deadline: November 9„ 1989. Applications avalible in the University Honors Program Office in early October. Eisenhower Graduate Scholarship Sponsored by: Eisenhower Memorial Scholarship Founda tion For: Seniors/others who will be full-time graduate students in 1989-1990. Terms: Minimum award of $1,000; maximum of $3,000 per year. Application Procedure: Application requested, direct appli cation by student. Application Deadline: February 1, 1990. Rhodes Scholarship For: U. S. Citizen, unmarried, senior status, 3.75 or higher Terms: Tuition, fees and maintenance allowance. Tenable at Great Britain’s University of Oxford. Contact: Dr. John Reading, 505 Physics, 845-5073 or 696- 9190. . USA Today ALL—USA Academic Team Sponsored by:USA Today Newspaper For:Any full time undergraduate student. Selection based on original work such as published research, essay, poetry, art or music. Terms: National recognition through USA Today, trip to Washington, D.C.. Application Procedure: nomination by faculty member, student may initiate. Application Deadline: November 6, 1989. Phi Kappa Phi National Graduate Fellowship Sponsored by: The Honorary Society of Phi Kappa Phi For: Outstanding seniors planning to attend graduate school in any field; GPA must be in the 3.8 to 4.0 range. Terms: Up to $6,000 for the first year of graduate study. Amount of award is dependent on other financial aid. Application Procedure: Contact Dr. Ted Jones, 845-2031 Detailed information and applications are available through the Universiy Honors Program, room 101 of the Academic Building. See Scott Shafer. %