Bell Atlantic Increases Support of University System of Maryland to $1 Million

Bell Atlantic Increases Support of
University System of Maryland to $1 Million

Grants to Integrate Technology in Education, Help
Students Obtain College Diploma

9 de julio de 1999

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Students and educators in the University
System of Maryland (USM) and its 13 institutions of higher learning will
be able to apply state-of-the-art technology to enhance their educational
programs thanks to an additional $500,000 grant from the Bell Atlantic
Foundation. For instance, USM will incorporate more advanced digital
audio, video and high-end graphics for interactive courses. The grant,
which will be paid over five years, increases to $1 million Bell Atlantic's
total support of USM's $700 million campaign.

"We are very grateful to Bell Atlantic for making these grants
possible," said Chancellor Donald N. Langenberg. "USM
institutions understand the urgent need to integrate today's information
technology -- from interactive video and distance education to virtual
reality and problem-based learning -- with traditional forms of education
and to make this information technology available to students from all
economic backgrounds.

"We are committed to fostering this integration, but we are limited
by scarce resources and climbing costs for new technologies,"
Langenberg added. "Bell Atlantic's generosity has brought us one
step closer to making our dream a reality."

Previously, Bell Atlantic had committed a total of $500,000, including a
$250,000 grant awarded last year by the Bell Atlantic Foundation to fund
the Bell Atlantic Continuing Scholars Award program at USM's three
historically black colleges -- Bowie State University, Coppin State College
and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. This grant was designed to
help high-achieving students who lack adequate financial resources stay in
school. USM used the initial $250,000 for a variety of projects including
scholarships, multi-media labs and a virtual library.

To date, USM's campaign has raised over $440 million, which puts the
system on a pace to exceed its goal of reaching $700 million by 2002.

"As a company that cares about the communities we serve, Bell
Atlantic knows that Maryland's educational system must be second to
none if our state is to prosper," said Sherry F. Bellamy, president
and CEO of Bell Atlantic - Maryland and co-chair of USM's campaign.
"USM is one of this state's most valuable educational assets, and it
deserves the Maryland business community's support. Together, we all
can make a positive difference in the lives of so many young
people."

The University System of Maryland comprises 11 degree granting
institutions and two research and service institutions. The degree granting
institutions are: Bowie State University; Coppin State College;
Frostburg State University; Salisbury State University; Towson
University; University of Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore;
University of Maryland, Baltimore County; University of Maryland,
College Park; University of Maryland Eastern Shore; and University of
Maryland University College. The research and service institutions are the
University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute and the University of
Maryland Center for Environmental Science.

The Bell Atlantic Foundation supports a variety of projects domestically
and internationally, with an emphasis on new technology applications in
education, health and human services, the arts and humanities, and civic
development in the communities served by Bell Atlantic. For more
information, visit www.bellatlanticfoundation.com on the Internet.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and
information industry. With 43 million telephone access lines and nine
million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are
premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, market
leaders in wireless services and the world's largest publishers of directory
information. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the world's largest
investors in high-growth global communications markets, with operations
and investments in 23 countries.