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$1 million gift from an alumni couple is the latest vote of confidence
in Willamette Academy, one of the nation’s most intriguing
commitments to young people of color.
This gift is both generous and inspired,” said President
Lee Pelton. “It secures long-term funding that will help ensure
the success of the Academy and it reinforces our commitment to diversity,
one of the key components of the University’s Long Range Plan.
This gift will positively impact the lives of young students for
generations.”
The gift from the couple, who prefer not to be named, represents
a significant leap in the development of Willamette Academy, which
opened its doors to its first class of 30 students in 2002. This
free supplemental education program admits underrepresented students
who are enrolled in seventh grade in Oregon’s Salem-Keizer
School District. Currently the program has 50 students enrolled
and expects to have 110 students for the 2006-07 academic year.
 Each
summer, Willamette Academy students participate in a 10-day residential
program. During the academic year, students spend one Saturday per
month on campus in academic enrichment activities. Tutoring is offered
three days per week. During the 2003-04 academic year, Willamette
Academy expects to provide each of the 50 current students with
more than 400 hours of focused activity, including almost 250 hours
of classroom instruction. The goal is improve grades and SAT scores
and lower the dropout rate.
“The program focuses on critical thinking, leadership and
a love of learning while stressing excellence in mathematics, science,
technology, language arts, history and social sciences,” said
Elaine Green, interim executive director of the Academy. “The
Academy’s greatest strength is that it makes a five-year commitment
to the students as they rise through middle and high school and
offers a leg up on the college application process. Most of the
students will be the first in their families to attend college.”
Willamette Academy expects a commitment of support and involvement
from the students’ families. Parents are encouraged to attend
workshops sponsored by the Academy to help them learn how to support
their children as they prepare for college. All parent sessions
and written materials are offered in both English and Spanish and
several members of the staff are bilingual. Every effort is made
to involve the parents in their children’s educational progress.
— Janis J. Nichols
  
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