RELEASE-Morgan Awarded Research Grant From NASA

Morgan State University is pleased to announce it is the recipient of a five-year, $6 million dollar grant from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to establish the Center for Advanced Microwave Research and Applications (CAMRA). The center is being established to help support NASA's mission through cutting-edge research, hands-on laboratory experiences and enhanced training.

The grant is part of NASA's effort to establish University Research Centers (URC). The URC program is designed to achieve a broad-based competitive aerospace research and technology capability among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Other Minority Universities (OMU).

"Morgan is being increasingly recognized as one of Maryland's premier research institutions, which makes this partnership that much more significant," said Morgan President Earl S. Richardson. "This center will provide our engineering students with a unique educational opportunity and ultimately enhance NASA's technology," added Dr. Richardson.

This is the first time the University has been awarded a research grant from NASA. Coordinated through the GSFC in Greenbelt, MD, Morgan State University will now provide future NASA missions with a technology base for the production of microwave components and systems. Receiving this grant is a continuation of a long relationship between NASA and Morgan's School of Engineering that dates back to 1985 with the Engineering Enrichment Program.

"We are honored to have been selected by NASA as recipients of this prestigious financial award," said Dr. Carl White, director of CAMRA. "This funding will not only solidify a partnership with NASA in conducting microwave technology research, but it will help establish Morgan's School of Engineering as an expert in this emerging field, and integrate skilled minority students into the program for years to come."

The center will be officially opened by NASA's GSFC Director Al Diaz, during a ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for 6:00 p.m., Monday, December 16, at the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. School of Engineering on the campus of Morgan State University, 5200 Perring Parkway, Baltimore, MD.

It is NASA's ongoing mission to assume a responsibility to enlighten and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and technologists as only NASA can. The ribbon cutting ceremony symbolizes a new partnership with NASA and Morgan State University to graduate more minority students while developing increased participation by faculty and students in mainstream research.

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a coeducational institution offering more than 60 academic programs leading to bachelor's degrees as well as programs at the master's and doctoral levels. As Maryland's public urban university, Morgan serves a multi-ethnic and multi-racial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information on Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.