High school graduates

get head start
Incoming students with an interest in multicultural issues — particularly Native American issues –will have an opportunity to get an early start on their University experience, thanks to a year-old English department program.
The Native American Summer Bridge Program has awarded 21 high school graduates a free term of classes since it began in the summer of 2000. Each student had expressed interest in the issue of cultural diversity during an essay contest held during their senior year of high school.
During the summer of 2000, 10 students were given an all-expenses-paid, eight-week enrollment in the program, which included English 240, “Introduction to Native American Literature,” English 199, “Native American Issues,” and a specially designed section of Writing 121, “Introduction to College Composition.”
In March 2001, University President Dave Frohnmayer granted the program additional funding for the summer of 2001. Eleven students participated in the program that term, and by summer’s end, University alumnus Keith Swayne had agreed to donate $90,000 to support 10 students in the program for each of the next three years.
According to English Professor Richard Stevenson, the Office of Admissions is sending information about next summer’s program to high school seniors.
Stevenson said he hopes that the program will serve as “an enhancement of interest” in the University for students considering where to attend college.
High school seniors of all ethnic backgrounds are welcome to apply. Information is available at the Office of Admissions. The deadline for submission is March 29.

— Leon Tovey