Page 10, Portland Observer, December 17, 1986
THE JETS
THE COMMODORES
Lou R aw ls M o ves A head W ith
C o m m itm e n t To Keep Doors
O pen A t Black Colleges
United Negro College Fund
Keeps Educational
O pportunity Alive
Historically black colleges represent fewer than 4 percent
of American colleges Yet, they enroll 16 percent of all
blacks attending four year colleges and universities
The 43 private, historically black colleges of the United
Negro College Fund enroll some 45,000 students annually
These are some of the ablost, most ambitious youngsters in
the nation.
According to UNCF's most recent statistical report, some
15 percent of first time UNCF freshman graduated in the
top 10 percent of their high school class Over half of pro
spective UNCF freshmen aspire to graduate study, com
pared with 45 percent of freshmen nationally
When asked why they attend a UNCF school, students
cite high academic standards that will enable them to pur
sue graduate study and professional careers after gradua
tion They are enthusiastic about small classes and indivi
dualized attention from dedicated professors who care
deeply abou their students They want to experience the
unique atmosphere and special environment that only a
predominantly black college offers
These students also depend on low tuition rates During
tfie 1984 85 academic year, the cost of attending a UNCF
college was $5,459 about two thirds the average $7,999
cost at independent colleges nationally
For the most part, UNCF students come from low income
families Nearly 90 percent of the students require scholar
ships and loans.
This year, the United Negro College Fund celebrates its
42nd anniversary. Since UNCF was founded in 1944, it
has raised over $400 million for its member institutions
Christopher F Edley is president and chief executive officer
of UNCF
In 1985 86, the United Negro College Fund's revenues
were $38 1 million. The funds are donated by corporations,
foundations, unions, students, civic groups and many indi
viduals.
An education obtained at UNCF institutions enables gra
duates to make contributions in all walks of life At some
institutions more than 10 percent of each year’s graduating
class is accepted by medical, dental and veterinary medi
cine schools Thirty-one percent of UNCF students gradu
ate with degrees in business More than 1,000 are studying
social science Education is the third leading field of study
that young people choose to pursue at UNCF schools
These students will be the leaders and responsible citizens
of the 21st century.
In his study "A Black Elite: A Profile of Graduates of
UNCF Colleges", noted sociologist and author Dr Daniel
C. Thompson statistically shows the influence of black col
leges in encouraging and preparing black students for
achievement Although 85 percent o, UNCF alumni come
from homes of blue collar workers, only 3 percent hold blue
collar jobs themselves
Eighty nine percent hold profes
sional or managerial positions Ninety five percent work in
an interracial setting, and many aie the first blacks in their
positions Severty seven percent have some post baccalau
reate education, and 54 percent have at least one graduate
degree.
T u n e in S a t u r d a y , D e c e m b e r STMTi, G p m - M i t l n ig t i t
Check TV/Cabfe I l« tln q
B e n e M t t l n g T t ie U n i t e d N e g r o C o lle g e F u n d
Fnr Information or
1 -8 0 0 -3 3 1 -2 2 4 4
This m essage courtesy of
1
to m a k e y o u r c o n trlh titlo n i all:
FredMeySL
"A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste ” That's the motto
of the United Negro College Fund. And, it's one that enter
tamer Lou Rawls takes very seriously
Through the "Lou Rawls Parade of Stars” telethon to
benefit the United Negro College Fund, Rawls made a per
sonal commitment seven years ago to do everything he
could to ensure that qualified youngsters get a chance to
study at the nation's historically black colleges and univer
sities
This year's telethon, a six hour entertainment spectacu
lar, will air on Saturday. December 27 (Check local listings
for stations and specific broadcast times I
Rawl s views the UNCF motto as a reminder of people's
capabilities to tackle and solvo many of the problems that
confront society
Says Rawls, The only way we are going to solve many
of today's problems is through education."
education is definitely the key to greater |ob opportune
ties But perhaps more importantly, education helps people
develop the skills that can lead to cures for sickle cell anemia
and other catastrophic health problems
The effort of Rawls, his co hosts Marilyn McCoo and Ed
McMahon and the cavalcade of entertainers appearing on
the show, combined with the hard work of the UNCF's
national network of volunteers, help College Fund schools
provide young people with quality education
Rawls commented, "W e have come a long way in this
great country Education and hard work are what got us
here We still have a long way to go, and only education
and hard work will get us there We need the 43 colleges
and universities of the United Negro College Fund so that
everybody is given a chance to make a contribution "
The "Lou Rawls Parade of Stars" is made possible with
the support of its national and founding sponsor Anheuser
Busch Companies, Inc , which has underwritten the pro
duction of the program annually since its inception seven
years ago Through its Budweiser brand, Anheuser Busch
also provides national promotional, advertising and market
ing support for the program
The Kellogg Company, this year's national Co sponsor of
the "Parade of Stars," is contributing $1 million Kellogg
also hosts five celebrity dinners throughout the country to
help raise additional funds for the United Negro College
Fund In addition, the telethon receives enthusiastic sup
port from Kellogg employees who work as volunteers during
the program
The telethon's contributing co sponsors are American
Airlines, General Motors Corporation and Polaroid Corpor
ation
The 1986 telethon includes entertainment by Frank Sina
tra, Nancy Wilson, Jose Feliciano, the Commodores. New
Edition, Kenny Rogers, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Char
ley Pride, Alabama and many others
"These people gladly volunteer their time because thoy
understand what's at stake," said Rawls "They perform
their popular acts on the show and then encourage viewers
to contribute because they know that education is the key
that unlocks the door to progress for our country ."