Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 5 September 1991 — Page 8

The Muncie Times, Thursday, September 5,1991, Page 8

Purdue Program Lures Minority Students

by Judith McGhee Mays Investing in the future of children is nothing new to Mike Gorin, assistant principal of Muncie’s Southside High School. He and his wife, Camice, who teaches U.S. history and sociology at Muncie Central High School, are no rivals when it comes to helping youth excel. When that investment shows a return it’s nice. But when the rewards are seen in your own children, the satisfaction is something ne can hardly contain. Gorin has worked for several years with Roger Blalock, assistant director of admissions at Purdue and the Top Five Program. Top Five is a program that honors high school sophomores at a 1 1/2 day session that includes life planning, a college fair and presentations by the various schools within the college/university. Gorin is also involved with the Purdue School of Technology Program. This year, his daughter, Shayla, and son, Brandon, participated in the program which targets middle schoolers. Brandon, a Wilson School honors student, attended the June 9 to 13 sessions for the school of Technology and Shayla, also an honor student who this school year isa freshman at Southside, participated in the Purdue Engineering Program. The children who participate do so based upon recommendations. Wilson School counselor Katie Davis has been instrumental in that process. Gorin firmly believes in exposing children as soon as possible. He said that colleges and universities, other than Purdue, have various programs that parents should look into. These programs are underwritten by sponsors, as in the case of the Purdue School of Technology, which is sponsored by theMobil Oil Scholars program. Mobil has also utilized its participants in summer jobs. “I want to emphasize,” said Gorin, “that parents have to

Community Focus

Judith Mays

engineering program, recruits nationwide and does a tremendous job.” “I loved the program,” Shayla Gorin said. “I now have a best friend who lives in Gary. The program, I think, helped me to develop life skills, even in friendship. “I think the experience of living in a dorm will help me to get along better with my peers. Shayla said of the daily class schedule, ‘ ‘ It was very exacting, very disciplined. Wehad a computer class every day as well as projects and problem-

solving. Every minute was planned. “One experiment was to make a truss (bridge) out of sticks, a razor blade and glue. We then had to see how many bricks the bridge would hold. ‘ T now have a greater understanding of engineering. I’m also aware of students with similar interests. It gave me an added sense of encouragement. All thecounselors there are Purdue students. I’d like to become a counselor, too.” She was also one of the students selected by the instructor foran interview which aired on the Channel 8 News. “This program helped me to recognize the importance of goal s, ’ ’

she said. “I want to achieve higher education. I want to go to school. I recommend that students look into these kinds of programs.” A sample schedule of the classes outlined daily sessions in problem-solving concepts, computer, time management, value exploration, engineering design, projects and testing and an electronic engineering lab. Purdue also offers the BOP program (Business Opportunity Program). Annette N. Gillespie, coordinator ofT echnology Minority Programs at Purdue University, keeps in contact with students throughout the school year to check on their progress.

actively search these programs and not leave it up to the schools. “My children go to school and then they come home and have school. Parents must be involved.” Gorin also gave credit to Tim Heller, assistant superintendent of Muncie Community Schools and former principal of Southside, for is involvement in expanding the educational options for minority students. “Because of his involvement, we have a corporate bus to take these kids down to pursue the College FAir and the Circle City Classic. “Still, parents have to realize there are dates and deadlines that they have to stay on top of,” Gorin said. The Top Five program has been expanded to spring and fall sessions. This year seven students from Muncie attended the Purdue University School of Technology. They were: Kelly Wayne, Spelman Allen, Brandon Gorin, Renia Isom, Randon Sims, Josh McIntosh and Michael Gulden. There were about 50 students from all over the state.

Jesse Meredith, Carl Matthews, Kamilah Gill, Bola Akinlemibola, Olympia McClendon, Rachel Martin, Spelman Allen, Josh McIntosh, Derek Smith Shakea Guy, Teara Wilson, Monica Castillo, Alicia Nunn, Tachea Corbett, William Cooley, Tauri Martin, Michael Hampton Randon Sims, David Redd, Christopher Cowherd, Kesha Davis, Nikki Hall, Tasha Foster, Bridgette Johnson, Kelly Wayne, Edmund Peterson LaJoy Perkins, Nikki Dates, Nicole Jones, Brea Gates, Raymond Scott, Wes Jones, Shawna Gaines, LaNita Bouden, Antoinette Kwateng, Reina Isom, Annette Gillespie

The coordinators have been very supportive of Muncie schools. Gorin said, “Besides Tuskegee, Purdue University has the largest number of minority engineering students. Blalock, who is head of recruiting for minorities in the

Odis Long, Lester Turner Rory L. Christian, Michael Guiden, Charles Jackson, Brandon Gorin, William Phillips, Charles McWilliams, Carolynn Epperson, Erik Miles Sabrina Wilson, Jerry Cleveland, Kevin Butler, Cheryl Gurnell-Pierson, Karen Patton