Newspapers / The Carolina Times (Durham, … / Aug. 13, 1988, edition 1 / Page 2
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2-THE CAROLINA TIMES-SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 1988 SEP Program Students Challenged To Accept Only Excellence "Accept nothing but excellence in pursuing your goal to become a health prpfesional," challenged Dr. Brenda:-Armstrong, associate professor in the Division of Cardiology and Pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Armstrong was the keynote speaker during the 1988 Science Enrichment Preparation (SEP) Program closing seminar on July 30 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she addressed college juniors, seniors, and graduates. The SEP proqram is an eight- week residential academic enrichment program which, according to Dr. E. Lavonia Allison, director of the North Carolina Health Manpower Development Program, provides participating minority students with an excellent opportunity to strengllien their background in four basic sciences, reading, and test- taking techniques. Becoming more competitive for medical, dental, or pharmacy school is possible only if "you strive for excellence," Dr. Armstrong advised. She identified problems plaguing black Americans and cited statistics underscoring the serious disparities • which exist in health status, education, and employment between blacks and whites; i.e. drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, infant mortality, tuberculosis, homicide, hypertension, stroke, high school dropout rates, illiteracy, joblessness, and earning potemitU of high school and college graduates. She encouraged the SEP students to work hard, to prepare well, and to avoid letting anything or anybody to get in the way of becoming a physician because health care services are needed more than ever. "You can succeed," Armstrong reassured the students, even though racism is still pervasive in America. "There will be hardships, barriers, and people who will almost shatter your confidence, but you must walk tall and be strong." Armstrong reported that there is approximately one white physician for every 500 persons, but one black physician for every 5,000 persons. "Axe you going to turn your back on the people who are waiting for you?" Dr. Armsoong asked rhetorically. She recommended that the SEP students strive to achieve success by maximizing the resources and opportunities which are available today but which were not available to previous generations. Following Dr. Armstrong’s address, benefits inherent in the SEP program were extolled by a 1985 participant Anthony Jenkins, a second-year medical student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who credits the program for his present status as a medical student. Furthermore, two 1988 participants Jakelyn Parker and Nicholas Forde stated their confidence was renewed through participation in SEP. Parker and Forde said they now know they will realize their goal of becoming physicians. The seminar ended with a tribute to Dr. E. Lavonia Allison and the presentation of awards to SEP participants. Dr. Allison was recognized and honored by the North Carolina Health Manpower Development Program staff for her "enduring commitment and dedication to the furtherance of underrepresented minorities in the health professions." ' Awards were presented to SEP students for outstanding performance in the program. The Highest Overall Academic Honors ft Left to right — Nicholas Forde, a 1988 Duke University graduate, and Jakelyn Parker, a 1988 Mercer University graduate, were among those honored with academic achievement awards during the Science Enrichment Preparation (SEP) Program closing seminar. .^'3; i Left to right — Dr. Brenda armstrong, Associate Professor in the Division of Cardiology and Pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center, addresses SEP scholars while Dr. E. Lavonia Allison, director of the North Carolina Health Manpower Development Program, listens enthusiastically. The stall' of NCII.MDP presented a bouquet of ruses to Dr. E. Lavonia .-MILson, director, during the recent SEP closing seminar. Pictured from left to right are Ms. B. Lorraine Alston, associate director HC.4AP, Dr. Allison, Dr. Davesene Lawson, acting director of the SEP Program, and Dr. Charlene Regester, acting associate director of NCII.MDP. Award was presented to Nicholas Forde, a 1988 Duke University graduate. Forde said, when he came to the program he was unsure about whether he could handle medical school, "this program made me realize that 1 definitely want to become a physician." Forde also received the Highest Honor Award in Microbiology, Physics Quantitative Skillos and Biostatistics. Other students receiving highest academic awards were Jakelyn Parker of Mercer University in Biochemistry, Marsha Jones of the University of Georgia and Tamara Howard of Duke University in Reading. Second Highest Honor Awards were earned Marc Kennedy of Xavier University of Louisiana in Microbiology, Tamara How'ard of Duke University in Physics, by Nicholas Forde of Duke University in Biochemistry, and Marsha Jones of the University of Georgia in Quantitative Skills- Biostatistics. The SEP Program, in its ninth year of operation, is made possible by a Health Careers Opportunity HARDWARE and SALE ENDS SATURDAY HOME IMPROVEMENT I SAVE 20% I SAVE 20% | SAVE 15% | craftsman | SAVE 15% | SAVE 25% StUs/actlon guanittaed or your money back nSaart, Roebuck and Co., 1988 (HCOP) Grant, Number 15-D18. MB01431-01 from the Division of Disadvantage Assistance, Hcalili Resources and Servic* Administration of the D-eparUnenl of Health and Human Services. Minority Freshmen Receive Hands-On Experience By Kathy Pitman Duke University News Service Several incoming Duke University freshmen will complete a program this week designed to inspire minority students to pursue a career in science and research. The students have participated in a special summer training program in science sponsored by a 530,000 grant presented last year to the university by GTE Corp. The grant enabled eight incoming freshmen last year and eight again this year to take part in a six-week program in which they gained research experience, learned quaniilaiive and communication skills and visited scientific facilities. The participants, who had expressed an interest in science prior tonadmission to Duke, will have only two weeks vacation before the semester begins, said Mary Nijhout, Ph.D., associate dean of Trinity College of Arts and Sciences and director of the GTE/Duke University Focus Program. "The idea of the program is to give the students a solid base research experience." Nijhout said. She said that of the eight students who participated last year, five are conducting research of some type again this summer. "1 think any program introduces students to research a; soon as possible will be important.' Nijhout said. "What gets them interested is that first experience.' Sponsored by GTE Corp.. the grants are intended to help booJ recruitment and retention of qualified minority students i» science and math disciplines. Nijhout said this year the emphasis at Duke has been on life sciences. The main function of the program is to give students research experience by working with a faculty mentor, Nijhout said. During field trips to area research facilities, the students had an opportunity to see what it’s like to work at sites like the Research Triangle Park, the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort and to Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant She said it’s important that students discover for themselves the connection between research and class lectures. "We want to inuoduce them to a hands-on version of science before the lecture version. It helps them in the interpretation of course work, Nijhout said. Nationwide, student enrollmenl in science fields has been droppi"! in all ethnic groups, she said. "If we don’t encourage undergraduates with tentative career plans in the sciences, to U.S. could face a shortage of mature scientists," Nijhout said. “Sem PrWng Psiey; If an Kaiti It not Northgate Mall 1620 Guess Road deaedbad as raduoad a a apacM pun cnaaa. It la at tta regular pdoa A apaoM purchtaa, though not retknad, la an an- oaptlonai valua." SEARS Offshore wells provide mure than 20 percent of the oil produced in the I world.
The Carolina Times (Durham, N.C.)
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Aug. 13, 1988, edition 1
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