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Press Release

Upton Announces $395,000 for LMC Sciences
Five year grant program seeks to improve curriculum & boost student performance and retention

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) today announced that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded Lake Michigan College a 5-year, $395,462/year Strengthening Institutions Program grant.  Lake Michigan College's project, "Improving Student Success, Retention and Graduation through Transformation for the Science Program" will have a lasting impact on the college, community and students entering a science-based economy. 

"This funding is tremendous news for Lake Michigan College," said Upton.  "The sciences are so important to the future of our nation as our economic competitiveness and national security will depend upon a workforce equipped with proper math and science skills.  This five-year grant will go to great lengths in ensuring that the region's students continue to have access to a first rate science curriculum.  I applaud President Randall Miller and the entire faculty at LMC for their commitment and dedication to the students of Southwest Michigan."

Lake Michigan's five year project seeks to renovate 9 science labs, redesign of 22 science courses, a 5% increase in student success in science classes, an 8% increase in college retention rate of students taking science, and a 5% increase in 3-year graduation rate of science majors.  In addition, project staff will develop and implement a developmental science program and a scientific research methods course to address the varying skill levels of our students.

"The impact of receiving the Title III grant is very significant for Lake Michigan College because it will enable us to expand and strengthen our science programs and focus on improving student success in the sciences," said Dr. Randall R. Miller, President, Lake Michigan College.  "Our long-range strategy is to use this foundation to further expand into emerging technologies, which will help prepare our students for jobs of the future."

The Dept. of Education's Strengthening Institutions Program provides grants to eligible institutions of higher education to enable them to improve their academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability, and increase their self sufficiency and strengthen their capacity to make a substantial contribution to the higher education resources of the nation.

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