Five private colleges, with programs ranging from high school partnerships to developing a new master's program, will receive 3M Vision Grants totaling over $246,000. These grants are designed to foster innovation in private colleges by supporting new, academically-based initiatives that connects students with their communities to solve problems.

"We are pleased to recognize these colleges for creating visionary programs that move theory into practice by taking learning beyond the classroom and into the community," said Alex Cirillo, staff vice president, 3M Community Affairs and Workforce Diversity. "The 3M Foundation is committed to supporting innovative approaches to learning that bring colleges and communities together to address community issues."

In the 18 years of the Vision Grant program, 81 grants totaling more than $3.3 million have been awarded to private colleges located in 3M communities across the country. This year's recipients will implement programs ranging from literacy to community revitalization.

2004 3M Foundation Vision Grant Recipients:

• Centre College, Danville, Ky.
  
  Centro Latino: A Student-Faculty Collaborative Venture to Assist the Latino Community - The grant establishes Centro Latino, a resource center, which will provide information about services available to the area's growing Latino population. Students and faculty from the Spanish Department will staff the center.
• Emmanuel College, Boston, Mass.
  
  Emmanuel College Partnership with Fenway High School - The 3M Vision Grant will help establish a mutually beneficial partnership that will contribute to the academic success of college and high school students. The partnership will give Emmanuel students an opportunity to strengthen interpersonal skills, deepen their knowledge of science and math and contribute the community.
• Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis.
  
  The Challenges of Offshore Outsourcing: An Educational Response - The grant will be used to develop a multidisciplinary and cross-functional technology curriculum which helps students compete in a global economy.
• Pitzer College, Claremont, Calif.
  
  Growing up at the Hug House: Building an Educational Community for Homeless Youth - Through a partnership with Hug House, a community-based organization serving the educational needs of homeless children, Pitzer students will implement a literacy program and community garden, creating educational stability for a highly mobile population of homeless youth.
• University of Detroit, Mercy, Detroit, Mich.
  
  Master of Community Development - The grant will help create an educational program for community stakeholders involved in community revitalization projects. Students in the program will get a comprehensive understanding of the elements needed for revitalization projects. Students will learn from professionals from all walks of life, including architects, engineers, social workers, real estate developers and environmental psychologists.

3M Community Giving consists of product donations and cash grants by 3M and the 3M Foundation, and bolstered by employee and retiree volunteerism. In 2003, over $50.4 million was awarded to education and charitable organizations.

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3M, St. PaulJacqueline L. Berry, 651-733-3611Fax: 651-737-0661http://www.3m.com/profile/pressbox/media_contacts.jhtml