Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 3 February 2000 — Page 36

The Muncie Times, Febuary 3, 2000, page 36

UNTIL PEOPLE DO

We’ve built this bank on ideas that get the job done; Giving back to the community. Standing up for each other. Integrating modern services with real lives. Won't you join us?

American National Bank

747-7575

MEMBER FOIC

Support The Muncie Times and its advertisers. Caii us at 741-0037.

More blacks receive degrees FAIRFAX, Va.—A publication recently released by the Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute of the College Fund/UNCF reveals that African Americans are earning undergraduate degrees at record levels and are attaining undergraduate and graduate degrees at a rate that exceeds that of whites. The publication, Just the Facts: The Challenges and Progress in Postsecondary Degree Completions, offers current data and information on the number undergraduate and graduate degrees awarded to African Americans at all levels and in various academic fields. “We hope that Just the Facts presents the types of data and information that will affect educational policy, and general knowledge, and ultimately lead to higher academic achievements within the African American community,” said William H. Gray, III, president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund. Among the significant findings reported in Just the Facts: More African Americans are receiving bachelor’s and associate degrees than ever before. In 1996, a record total of 89,412 bachelor’s degrees were awarded to African Americans, which represented 7.7 percent of all bachelor’s degree recipients— up from 5.5 percent in 1987. In addition, a record total of 49, 204 associate degrees were awarded to African Americans in 1996, which represented a 46 percent increase over the 33,744 awarded in 1987. In 1996, 24,552 master’s degrees were awarded to African Americans, which represents an 87 percent increase over the 12,144 that were awarded in 1987. African American women have experienced a 100 percent increase in the number of master’s degrees received, compared to 64 percent increase among African American men. Growth in master’s degrees received over the past decade was greater for African American men and women than for white men, 17 percent, and women, 41 percent. In 1996 about 4,905 first professional degrees were awarded to African Americans—47 percent more than the 3,340 awarded in 1987. In 1996, 1.569 doctoral degrees were awarded to African Americans, which represents at 54 percent increase over the 1,016 that were awarded in 1987. However, African Americans are significantly underrepresented at the doctoral level and received just 3.5 percent of all doctoral

DEGREES SEE PAGE 38