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ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ recently received confirmation from the U.S. Department of Education that funding for its McNair Scholars Program has been renewed for five years.

“Our students are typically low income and the first in their family to go to college,” said Erin Clarke, director of the McNair Scholars Program. “This program helps to break that cycle and create the next generation of Ph.D.s who are more representative of the students they instruct. If we were not renewed, the program would cease to exist at ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ.”

The annual grant of $230,215 began October 1.

Established in 1986 by the U.S. Department of Education and named for astronaut and Challenger space shuttle crew member Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the program encourages students to pursue graduate studies by providing opportunities to define goals, to engage in research, and to develop the skills and student/faculty mentor relationships critical to success at the doctoral level.

“Each year, 15 ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ students are selected to serve as McNair Scholars. We are currently recruiting for the next cohort and applications will be due Friday, December 15,” said Clarke.

For more information about the McNair Scholars Program visit www.lamar.edu/mcnair.