SU engineering, science program receives $977,800

Southern University Chemistry Professor Robert Ford and U.S. Rep. Richard H. Baker, R-Baton Rouge joined forces to make the $ 977,800 reward a reality for Southern University.
“Dr. Ford, head of Research and Chemistry, came to me eight or nine years ago with the PIPELINES idea.” Baker said, “It started small and grew.” Baker also said, “it will be an annual program.” The amount of money Southern is receiving now became a reality about two years ago, according to Baker.
The program is designed to decrease the number of minorities headed toward correctional facilities and advance the number with a future in higher education, according to Ford.
” This is to assist undergraduate students that demonstrate academic success and those with ability but no resources,” said Baker. Ford said, ” PIPELINES is a representation of the flow of students from kindergarten to graduate school.”
Ford explained that the number of black men in college has dropped tremendously since he was in college. Ford also explained that the men on Southern University’s campus are clearly out-numbered. Ford said, ” The pipeline of black men is leaking badly.” Ford said, ” The idea for this program was what can we do to stop the leaks.”
According to Ford, the program is funded through GLOBE, National Science Foundation, NASA, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and EPA. “The four agencies put up about 15 million dollars a year,” Ford said.
It is exclusively taking place at Southern University and Iowa State University, along with the grade schools in the locale of both universities, explained Ford.
Undergraduate students here at Southern who are involved in PIPELINES, are selected by the chemistry and science departments then they are sent to do research during the summer. Ford said, ” this gives kids opportunities to do research in national laboratories.”
Students have to have a 2.8 or higher g.p.a. showing some degree of proficiency in the science arena. Acceptance is also based on recommendations from faculty members and essays. Ten or 12 undergraduates are selected to work during the summer.
Our main focus is increasing the number of minorities who get degrees in science, and technology,” said Ford.