3M Foundation Awards Vision Grants to Four Private Colleges.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Four private colleges with programs ranging from the environment to community efforts that benefit youth and vulnerable adults will receive 3M Vision Grants totaling more than $183,000. The grants are designed to foster the development of innovative, academically based programs that connect colleges and communities and also transform the basis of learning.

"We are pleased to recognize these colleges and their visionary programs that take student learning into the community to address local needs, while deepening their knowledge and experience," said Alex Cirillo, staff vice president, 3M Community Affairs.

In the 19 years of the Vision Grant program, 90 grants totaling almost $4 million have been awarded to private colleges located in 3M communities across the country. This year's recipients will implement curriculum-based programs that apply theory to real-world situations.

2006 3M Foundation Vision Grant Recipients:

    -- Alma College, Alma, Mich.

    Linking Science Education and Community Empowerment Through a
    River Monitoring Project in Mid-Michigan

    The grant links the college's science, policy and education
    students with local public schools and the broader community to
    create a long-term sustainable river monitoring project.

    -- College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minn.

    Involving Health Science Students at the College of St.
    Scholastica in Designing and Implementing Personal Health Records
    for Vulnerable Populations

    Health Informatics and Information Management and Social Work
    students will work with local agencies to develop PHRs assisting
    clients in communicating and managing their health care needs more
    effectively.

    -- Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas

    Student-Community Collaborative Research and Creative Works for
    the San Gabriel River Trail

    In partnership with the City of Georgetown and volunteer community
    groups, students from all majors will design, lead and carry out
    research and special projects that enhance the use and future
    development of the newly developed trail connecting downtown parks
    and trails with Lake Georgetown.

    -- Viterbo University, LaCrosse, Wis.

    Healthy Bodies, Strong Minds: Teaching to Learn at the Mathy
    Center

    This is a collaboration between a private liberal arts college and
    a Boys and Girls Club. Viterbo students will provide programming
    support and mentor youth from economically distressed
    neighborhoods.

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