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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2001

Lumina Foundation for Education chooses academic advisory council

INDIANAPOLIS — Today Lumina Foundation for Education announced its newly created Academic Advisory Council, composed of 12 leaders in higher education policy, practice and research from across the country. The council will advise the Foundation on relevant issues in higher education access and degree attainment, and recommend research, program and policy initiatives.

Martha D. Lamkin, president and CEO of Lumina Foundation, noted that each council member is a noteworthy expert in one or more of the focus areas Lumina Foundation is pursuing to expand access to an education beyond high school. These focus areas include the following:

• Addressing the issue of financial access to postsecondary education.


• Supporting efforts that help postsecondary students identify appropriate options and remain in school until they attain their educational objectives.


• Understanding and addressing the challenges faced by nontraditional students, including adult students, first-generation college goers and under-served groups of students.

The following higher education leaders have been named to  Lumina Foundation’s Academic Advisory Council:

Experts in financial access
Michael McPherson, president of Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minn.

Natala (Tally) K. Hart, director of student financial aid at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

David W. Breneman, dean of the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va.

Experts in student retention
Vincent Tinto, chair of the higher education program and distinguished professor of education at Syracuse University in Syracuse, N.Y.

Freeman A. Hrabowski III, president of the University of Maryland (Baltimore County) in Baltimore, Md.

John N. Gardner, executive director and distinguished professor of educational leadership for the Policy Center on the First Year of College at Brevard College in Brevard, N.C.

Experts in nontraditional learners and learning
Lucie Lapovsky, president of Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.

Omer Waddles, executive vice president at ITT Educational Services Inc. in Indianapolis, Ind.

Augustine (Augie) P. Gallego, chancellor of the San Diego Community College District in San Diego, Calif.

Expert in assessment
Trudy Banta, vice chancellor of planning and institutional improvement at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

Expert in policy
Thomas J. Kane, professor for the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.

Expert in leadership issues
Christine W. Letts, executive director of the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Harvard University.

"We are honored that each member of this prestigious group has agreed to help shape the future of our Foundation," said Lamkin. "These experts offer the experience and insight necessary to fine-tune our mission and help us launch a well-conceived research, grant-making and communications program. Together, I hope we will help more students select and complete the higher education experience that’s right for them."

Lumina Foundation for Education, a private, independent foundation, strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access to an education beyond high school. Through research, grants for innovative programs and communications initiatives, Lumina Foundation (formerly the USA Group Foundation) addresses issues surrounding financial access, educational retention and degree or certificate attainment, and opportunities for nontraditional learners. The Foundation bases its mission on the belief that postsecondary education remains one of the most beneficial investments that individuals can make in themselves and that society can make in its people.

For more information, contact Sara Murray-Plumer, director of communications, at 317-951-5493 or splumer@luminafoundation.org.