Occidental Gets Grant From Philip Morris
Occidental College is one of 11 universities in the country to receive a grant from Philip Morris Cos. Inc. to support innovative programs promoting tolerance and diversity on campus.
The cigarette and food company granted $100,000 of the total $1-million package to Occidental on Sept. 22 at a luncheon attended by members of Congress, college officers and civil rights leaders.
The money will be used to institute a new core course, “Cross-Cultural Issues in American Society,” and to expand an existing peer mentor program for first-year students, said Francis Hill, media director for Occidental.
Four diversity seminars will be held each term, in which students will discuss racism and work to build bridges across cultures, she said.
A new community service internship will also be added. Students will tutor at local schools or neighborhood literacy centers, build housing with Habit for Humanity or volunteer for other projects to aid the homeless.
Information: (213) 259-2677.
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