Post Date: 06/22/2018 4:00 PM

The global chemistry company creates a $400,000 scholarship program for HBCU-bound students studying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Chemours President Mark Vergnano have announced a partnership between the City’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Program and the global chemistry company to provide $400,000 in scholarships over the next three years. The scholarships will assist HBCU-bound students who want to study science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) but lack the financial resources to do so.

Chemours said it was making this commitment to the community to assist the City of Wilmington’s ongoing efforts to identify talented local students for admission to HBCU’s. The scholarship announcement was made last night by the City and Chemours at a ceremony held at The Contemporary on the Christina Riverfront.

“At Chemours we believe that everyone should have access and the opportunity to engage in studies and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. We call this idea STEM for All. These scholarships reflect our commitment to building a more inclusive, diverse, talented, and effective future workforce, not only for our company, but for the local industry right here in Wilmington,” stated Chemours President and CEO, Mark Vergnano.

Wilmington’s inaugural HBCU Program brought over 700 students to a downtown hotel in the City in September of 2017 so they could meet face-to-face with their choice of ten HBCU colleges and universities. One hundred and twenty of those students were accepted on-the-spot to a college or university, and more than $400,000 in scholarships were offered to the students. The 2018 Wilmington HBCU program will be held September 16 through 22 with a goal of doubling the number of students who participate.

“We’ve always had high expectations for our HBCU program because we know that given the opportunity, our young people can demonstrate to anyone at any time how committed they are to their education and to their future, and why they deserve the opportunity to attend college,” said Mayor Purzycki. “To learn that Chemours, which is already deeply committed to the community, would become a partner in this HBCU effort to get more students into college is more than we ever expected.”

The highlight of last night’s City/Chemours Partnership ceremony was the announcement that a HBCU college-bound student, who had attended the City’s 2017 HBCU Program and was accepted to Delaware State University, was named as the first recipient of a Chemours Stem Scholarship. Iyana Cain, accompanied by her family and friends, will receive a $40,000 scholarship. Iyana was also presented with a letter of support and encouragement from one of her idols—former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.

Mayor Purzycki and Chemours today thanked two assistants to the Mayor—Ashley Christopher and Earl Cooper—for their efforts at organizing and managing the City’s HBCU College Program, and urged students and HBCU colleges and universities to participate in the 2018 program, which is currently being planned. Questions about the Wilmington HBCU 2018 College Program can be directed to Ashley Christopher at aschristopher@WilmingtonDE.gov or 302.576.2110, or to Earl Cooper at eacooper@WilmingtonDE.gov or 302.576.2133.

Last year’s HBCU program attracted the following colleges and universities: Delaware State University, Bowie State University, Lincoln University, Coppin State University, Virginia State University, Cheyney University, Morehouse College, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Morgan State University, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

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News and information from the Office of Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki

John Rago

Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Communications

Mobile: (302) 420-7928

Email: jrago@WilmingtonDE.gov

Paul Ford Jr.

Communications Specialist

Mobile: (302) 530-2171

Email: plford@WilmingtonDE.gov



Dan Sanchez

Digital & Social Media Manager

Mobile: (302) 605-0026

Email: dsanchez@WilmingtonDE.gov



