PITT HONORS AFRICAN-AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 10 -- The University of Pittsburgh Challenge for Excellence Program (UCEP) will honor 35 African-American Pitt scholarship winners on Thursday, Nov. 11 from 4 - 6 p.m. in the Ballroom of the William Pitt Union, 3959 Fifth Ave., Oakland.

The Faison, Henderson, Lavelle and Honors Challenge Scholarships are awarded annually by UCEP to students who have demonstrated academic excellence and community service while in high school. This year's winners, from cities throughout the country, are among the highest-achieving African-American students admitted to Pitt and are all currently freshmen. Seventeen are from Pennsylvania, including six from the Pittsburgh area.

Seventeen Honors Challenge Scholarships were awarded to students entering Pitt's College of Arts and Sciences (CAS); 13 Faison Scholarships also were awarded to CAS students, in honor of Helen S. Faison, Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools; four Lavelle Scholarships went to students in the College of Business Administration, in honor of Pittsburgh businessman Robert Lavelle; and one scholarship, honoring former Pitt Provost Donald Henderson, was awarded to a student entering Pitt's School of Engineering. All are full scholarships, with the exception of the Honors Challenge Scholarships, which are full tuition only.

The recipients graduated in the top of their high school classes and have received a wide array of honors, including the National Honor Society and Who's Who Among American High School Students. Many are active in community volunteer efforts, church groups and student organizations. The mission of UCEP is to increase the admission, retention and graduation of minority students at Pitt.

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11/10/99/mgc