To help colleges meet the challenges of keeping up with emerging scientific fields, inspiring excellence in teaching, assisting interdisciplinary collaborations, and encouraging minority students to pursue careers in science, in this year alone, HHMI pledged $49.5 million in four-year grants, ranging from $500,000 to $1.6 million, to 42 baccalaureate and master's degree institutions in the United States and Puerto Rico.

"It is an honor to receive this award from The Howard Hughes Medical Institute," said Charles Lovett, director of the Williams College Science Center. "HHMI has contributed major advances in biology and medicine, enhanced science education, and provided notably to the understanding of our world. The award will provide Williams with so many excellent opportunities to encourage students, faculty, and community to engage in doing science."

Williams' award is one of the largest and will be used to accomplish a number of goals: "In particular," said Lovett, "the award will help the college break new ground in its longstanding commitment to interdisciplinary science programs, providing opportunities for minority groups traditionally under-represented in the sciences, and outreach to local schools."

"The grant promotes hands-on, investigative science for many people in and beyond our local community," said Wendy Raymond, associate professor of biology, who will serve as overall project director.

"Area residents may be surprised to learn that this award will support active science learning in the local elementary schools in Williamstown and North Adams, and fund research opportunities for students and faculty from Berkshire County high schools and from the Massachusetts Colle
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Contact: Jo Procter
Jo.Procter@williams.edu
413-597-4279
Williams College
7-Jul-2004