MUHLENBERG COLLEGE DONATES 75 COMPUTERS TO ALLENTOWN DIGITAL DISTRICT
Muhlenberg College has donated 75 computers to the Allentown Digital District.Thursday, May 30, 2002 03:07 PM
Muhlenberg College has donated 75 computers to the Allentown Digital District.
According to Harry Miller, Director of Information Technology at Muhlenberg College, "the College has undergone extensive upgrades to its information technology systems over the past two years. We had a number of extra computers that were no longer needed by us, but that certainly were usable and valuable for the Digital District's needs."
Muhlenberg College is a major partner in the Digital District's Education Initiative. Under the auspices of the Digital District Steering Committee, the College works with Lehigh Carbon Community College and the business community to provide advanced educational and entrepreneurial opportunities to students of the Allentown School District. The donation of the computers is the latest initiative to come from Muhlenberg's EUREKA!, a successful student recruiting and retention program designed to develop the Valley's future high-tech workforce. Begun last year, EUREKA! was originally made possible by a grant secured by the Allentown Digital District Steering Committee. Additional funds were then obtained by the Digital District's Education Committee, allowing the program to serve over 170 ASD students in the 2001-2002 school year.
Pamela Varkony, Chairperson of the Digital District Steering Committee, stated, "The continuing support of both our educational and private sector partners, is testimony to the value of the Digital District initiative. This generous gift is yet another example of the great cooperation between the College and the Community in our effort to make the Digital District a reality for all of Allentown's citizens."
Varkony notes that the computers will be given to Life Long Learning Services. Established to serve community based non-profit organizations and bridge the gap of the "digital divide", LLLS will use the computers to enhance their programs for both youth and the elderly at Casa Guadalupe in Allentown. According to Life Long Learning Services co-founder, Peter Bryan, "In order for Allentown and Digital District programs to thrive, there needs to be a certain level of technical literacy in the community, and LLLS is helping to establish programs to that end."
Varkony concluded, "The synergy that has been created through the partnerships of the Digital District education initiative are a tribute to the spirit of volunteerism so prevalent across the Lehigh Valley".
