Microsoft expands support of UNCF - tech briefs - United Negro College Fund - Brief Article

Black Issues in Higher Education, August 15, 2002 by Ronald Roach

NEW ORLEANS

Microsoft Corp., chairman and chief software architect Bill Gates has announced that his company is expanding its support of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Inc., with a $25 million software, grant. Gates made the announcement last month at Xavier University, a UNCF school in New Orleans.

In addition to the software for UNCF, Gates announced that Microsoft was donating 150 Dell computers fully loaded with software to the TRIO Upward Bound program at Xavier University and five New Orleans public schools.

"At Microsoft, we believe that technology can help everyone realize their full potential," Gates said. "It's our hope that today's donations will enable the UNCF to expand educational opportunities for students in New Orleans and nationwide--today and for a lifetime."

The recently announced donation by Microsoft represents a continuation of the company's support of UNCF and Xavier University. Since 1988, Microsoft has given more than $100 million in cash and software to benefit faculty, administrators and students at UNCF colleges and universities. Xavier University has benefited from UNCF information technology resources, as well as from Microsoft's direct contributions of cash and software to assist in the campus implementation and technical instruction of wireless networks and to upgrade software in the computer science lab.

"One of the biggest obstacles colleges and universities face today is getting new technology adopted into the fabric of academia--from an infrastructure standpoint as well as through faculty training and development of new programs for students," said William Gray, chief operating officer of UNCF.

As part of the Microsoft-Dell Partners in Education Program, Microsoft and Dell donated the 150 new Dell computers preinstalled with the latest Microsoft software to Xavier University's TRIO computer lab.

TRIO's Upward Bound affiliates receiving computers are Rabouin High School and Booker T. Washington High School in Orleans Parish; Ella Dellonde Elementary in Jefferson Parish; South Thibodaux Elementary in LaFourche Parish; and Honduras Elementary in Terrebonne Parish.