AT&T Contributes $50,000 to Support Pennsylvania Governor's School for Engineering and Technology and Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences

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Jul 14, 2014, 09:00 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognizing the importance of supporting educational programs focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines, AT&T made two contributions totaling $50,000 to support the new Pennsylvania Governor's School for Engineering and Technology (PGSE&T) at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. and the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences (PGSS) at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa.

AT&T contributed $25,000 to Lehigh University to help launch PGSE&T, a two-week, residential engineering and technology program where high school students from across Pennsylvania will explore STEM concepts and careers while experiencing campus life. This is the first year of the program at Lehigh University.

The company also contributed $25,000 to the PGSS Campaign, Inc., to support the second-year of the Governor's School for the Sciences at Carnegie Mellon, a summer residential program that introduces high school students from across Pennsylvania to STEM careers and prepares them for postsecondary study in STEM-related fields.

Last year, AT&T also contributed to the PGSS Campaign, Inc., a non-profit organization led by alumni from the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences who worked to reinstate the program for future students and create a professional network for its alumni.

"The tech industry in Pennsylvania and around the country needs a capable and diverse pipeline of employees to fuel 21st century jobs. Today, the need is outpacing their availability," said J. Michael Schweder, president, AT&T-Mid Atlantic. "Our support of the Governor's Schools at Lehigh and Carnegie Mellon will help prepare the next generation of technology leaders for our Commonwealth."

Through AT&T Aspire, the company's signature education initiative, AT&T is focused on school success and workforce readiness by creating new learning environments and educational delivery systems to help students succeed and prepare them to take on 21st century careers.

Governor's School for Engineering and Technology @ Lehigh University

The Pennsylvania Governor's School for Engineering and Technology at Lehigh University is a two-week, summer residential program for high school students interested in studying technology and mathematics. Students will focus on so-called grand challenges on the cutting edge of scientific inquiry: energy, healthcare/bioengineering, nanotechnology, cybersecurity/military technology, transportation/infrastructure, environment/sustainability, manufacturing/additive manufacturing and 3D printing.

The program, which runs from July 20 to Aug. 2, 2014, will offer students an enrichment experience in STEM, cooperative learning, and hands-on laboratory experiences. Fifty students from 47 high schools across the state are expected to participate.

"Lehigh's program will focus on attracting bright high school juniors from across the commonwealth and providing them with a true taste of a rigorous university curriculum," said Patrick Farrell, provost and vice president for academic affairs. "We believe hands-on lab experience, direct faculty contact and a host of grand challenges will bridge the gap between high school and college and keep them passionate about engineering."

To learn more about the Governor's School for Engineering and Technology, visit www.lehigh.edu/pgset.

Governor's School for the Sciences @ Carnegie Mellon University

Now in its second year, PGSS is a rigorous summer program that allows students to engage in the sciences, be challenged intellectually, and develop personally. With admittance based upon merit and not tuition or boarding expenses, PGSS allows students to attend regardless of gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background.

Through private and public funding, PGSS runs as an annual program that fosters scientific thinking, scholarly collaboration, and interpersonal connections in our society while encouraging women and minority students to consider scientific careers.

"The PGSS Campaign is excited to have AT&T as a returning sponsor. Their generous gift will help provide the opportunity for 60 students to study biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and physics in residence for five weeks this summer at Carnegie Mellon University," said Benjamin R. Campbell, Ph.D, PGSS Campaign vice president. "The students will choose electives, participate in laboratory activities, and complete a team research project under the guidance of an experienced researcher culminating with a symposium presentation. Many program alumni cite PGSS as a formative experience on their journey to a STEM career, and we are grateful for the investment AT&T has made in their future."

This year's program began on June 30 and runs through August 1, 2014. Sixty students from 52 school districts across the state are enrolled in the program.

Students who are selected to attend the Governor's Schools receive full scholarships, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the universities, and private and corporate donations.

Scholarships cover the costs of housing, meals and all instructional materials. Families are responsible for transportation to and from the university, personal items and spending money. Students must commit to living on campus throughout the duration of program.

About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; or address community needs. In 2013, more than $130 million was contributed or directed through corporate-, employee-, social investment- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. AT&T Aspire is AT&T's signature education initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism, and mentoring.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse^® brand. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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