SBC Foundation awards grant to PEOPLE Program

The SBC Foundation has awarded a $250,000 grant to the University of Wisconsin Foundation in support of the UW–Madison’s PEOPLE (Pre-college Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence) Program, an innovative partnership designed to encourage post-secondary education for Wisconsin disadvantaged and minority students.

Chancellor John Wiley, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Paul Barrows, Vice Chancellor for Administration Darrell Bazzell, School of Education Dean Charles Read and SBC Wisconsin President Paul La Schiazza will come together Friday, Aug. 6, to announce the grant. They also will recognize third-year PEOPLE students who have completed the pre-college program and are preparing to enter their final year of high school.

The luncheon ceremony will be held at 11:45 a.m. at the Lowell Center, 610 Langdon St. The session also will include student speakers and performances in addition to an awards presentation.

A total of 80 graduates of the program are expected to attend UW–Madison this fall as first-year students, sophomores or juniors.

“We couldn’t be more grateful to the SBC Foundation for its continuing support of PEOPLE and UW–Madison,” says Barrows, noting that the grant will span two years. “We know that PEOPLE is making a difference both here on campus and with families in communities across the state. We’re pleased that SBC will be our partner in this success.”

“At SBC, we place a high priority on supporting efforts that enrich and strengthen diverse communities,” says La Schiazza. “We are pleased to support the UW–Madison PEOPLE Program, which is essential in providing low-income and minority students with the opportunity to gain access to higher education and prepare them for lifelong success.”

The PEOPLE Program currently serves approximately 800 high school and middle school students from public schools in Milwaukee, Madison, Racine, Waukesha, the Ho-Chunk Nation and the Menominee Nation. Students from Madison enter the program while in middle school; students from most other areas join during high school.

The program emphasizes enrichment in math, science and writing, and incorporates technology as an integral part of the curriculum. Students build study skills and receive information on college preparation and testing, academic and career options, and other subjects to foster graduation from high school and success in college.

Those who complete the pre-college portion of the program and are accepted for admission to UW–Madison receive a tuition scholarship for up to five years.
Designed for African-American, American Indian, Asian-American (with emphasis on Southeast Asian-American), Hispanic/Latino and disadvantaged students, the program was launched in 1999 as part of the UW–Madison’s Plan 2008 to enhance campus diversity.

Measured in 2003, 100 percent of those completing the program graduated from high school and 96 percent matriculated to colleges or universities.

Even before the announcement of the new grant, the SBC Foundation has been the largest private supporter of the PEOPLE Program, donating $600,000 in 1999. That funding came as part of a larger, $1.5 million grant in support of Plan 2008.

For more informationvisit the PEOPLE website.