November 2, 2005

Choir to take center stage at Purdue's minority visitation program

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The 18th annual Historically Black Institutions Visitation Program will be held at Purdue University Nov. 9-11 for 60 honor students from various historically African-American colleges and universities.

"The program is designed to encourage undergraduates to pursue advanced degrees, particularly at Purdue," said Dwight Lewis, director of minority programs for the graduate school. "While on campus, students will have an opportunity to meet with faculty and advisers, tour their academic department of interest and discuss potential fellowships and assistantships."

The Hampton University Concert Choir of Hampton, Va., will perform a concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 9) in the Stewart's Center Fowler Hall. The group will present choral and solo vocal music by African-American composers and arrangers. The concert is free and open to the public.

On Thursday (Nov. 10), economist, author and commentator Julianne Malveaux will speak at a dinner for the visitors, the dean of the graduate school and other university department heads.

The Historically Black Institutions Visitation Program has brought more than 700 undergraduate honors students to the West Lafayette campus. Each year, the 60 visitors represent potential graduate students in 30 disciplines. Since the beginning of the program in 1988, 122 students have graduated with master's degrees, and 29 doctoral degrees have been awarded. An additional nine students who have received master's degrees are now doctoral candidates at Purdue.

Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Source: Dwight Lewis, (765) 494-3232, delewis@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Journalists are welcome to attend the dinner. Please make reservations with Ted Daniels at (765) 494-0945.

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