Through the help and financial support of Siemens Industry, Inc. and its Sustainability Education Program, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Office of College and Career Preparation offered an unprecedented opportunity for the Class of 2011 to connect with the admissions personnel from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The day-long event, held in November at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Chicago, introduced CPS juniors and seniors to HBCUs—schools that they might not normally consider because they’re either out of state or perceived as beyond their financial means.
“During these tough economic times many of our students are struggling to find the money to pay for college,” said Bernard McCune, Deputy, Office of College and Career Preparation. “Not only does this event expose our students to some of the best institutions in the nation, the scholarships provided can help make their dream of going to college a reality.”
Through this event, more than 1,700 CPS juniors and seniors had the opportunity to meet with the admissions staff from over 30 HBCUs in one location. Each student had a chance to register with schools that interested them and provided data on their academic records. Later in the evening, HBCU staff awarded scholarships to prospective students by announcing their names and the amounts of the individual awards. This ceremony provided an exciting, emotional cap to the entire event. Students had the potential to be offered partial, annual and full-ride scholarships. Participating colleges and universities collectively awarded more than $25 million.
“We recognized that a student’s academic career is vulnerable at major transitional points,” said Dave Hopping, Vice President, Building Automation, Siemens Building Technologies. “We like to create opportunities where our support and positive intervention can really help students rise above challenges. With this event, we help CPS students move past geographic and financial barriers, things that would normally keep them from considering HBCUs, which have a rich tradition of fostering the academic and civic achievement of students from diverse backgrounds.”
It’s an established fact that HBCUs create an ideal educational environment for students with diverse backgrounds. Spanning the last two centuries, HBCUs have a legacy of providing a strong cultural, spiritual and academic platform from which students can launch and fulfill their higher-education goals. Unfortunately, because HBCUs are predominantly located in southern states, many students and parents living in Chicago are not able to visit these institutions and have limited exposure to HBCU students or alumni. As a result students and parents are not always aware of the excellent educational opportunities these HBCU institutions offer.
Similarly, the admissions staffs of these venerable institutions are faced with budgetary concerns that prevent them from traveling and personally reaching out to prospective students outside their geographic regions. Through the financial support of the Building Technologies’ Sustainability Education Program, HBCUs and CPS students have an opportunity to connect.
Since 2001, Siemens Industry, Inc., Building Technologies Division, has provided a platform for HBCUs to award millions of dollars in scholarships to Chicago Public Schools students. By supporting outstanding students today, and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, Siemens helps nurture tomorrow's teachers, scientists and engineers.