University Park, Pa. -- Penn State New Kensington was host for an Equal Opportunity Planning Committee (EOPC) 20th Anniversary Recognition celebration on Thursday, Sept. 25, in the campus' conference center. EOPC was formed in 1983 as a response to a desegregation mandate issued by U.S. Department of Education to all public institutions of higher education within Pennsylvania. In 1988 this mandate was lifted; however, the Penn State administration decided to continue the role of EOPC and replace the mandate of law with a mandate of conscience. Each year EOPC supports scores of programs and initiatives that seek to make Penn State a more equitable and welcoming university for all of its constituents.
More than 50 high school and elementary school students and parents who participated in EOPC programs sponsored by Penn State New Kensington -- Opportunity Knocks; Reaching Out to the Community; Math Options; and FIRSTE (Females Interested in Researching for Science, Technology, and Engineering) were on hand for the dinner celebration. Terrell Jones, vice provost for educational equity at Penn State, was the keynote speaker.
For pictures from the event, go to http://live.psu.edu/still_life/09_26_03_eopc/index.html