FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – AT&T is contributing $20,000 to the University of Arkansas in support of the Technology Awareness Program, or TAP, which seeks to increase the number of minority students entering the university who wish to pursue a degree in information technology. The program is housed in the Sam M. Walton College of Business under the direction of Barbara Lofton, director of the office of diversity and inclusion, and runs annually in the summer.

AT&T’s gift will cover the cost for 12 high school students to attend the program. The students are all participating in Arkansas Commitment, a non-profit program that engages academically talented African-American students in Central Arkansas. 

Eli Jones, dean of the Walton College, said the contribution will allow the program to engage students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.

“This generous gift allows Walton College to help even more Arkansas high school students learn about the opportunities that higher education can offer them through the TAP program,” Jones said. “I thank AT&T for its commitment to higher education, to Walton and to the students of Arkansas.”

Lofton, who has been involved in the program since it began in 2000, expressed her excitement over the gift. “We’re honored and proud to receive this,” she said. “It gives us another opportunity to contribute to the higher education pipeline for business in Arkansas, and we’re looking forward to expanding our relationship with Arkansas Commitment, the students and their families.”

TAP is a weeklong program, that offers students several unique opportunities, including the chance to attend lectures by university faculty members and guest speakers, as well as network with minority professionals within the information technology field. The curriculum focuses on research, teamwork, communication and presentation skills and allows students to become familiar with the University of Arkansas admission process.

The program has introduced information technology to approximately 300 underrepresented students from across the country since 2000. Many of these students have gone on to enroll at the university.

Ed Drilling, president of AT&T Arkansas, said the company is honored to support the program and believes that, through this gift, “students who may have had little exposure to information technology will be connected to a professional field that offers opportunity and promise for the future.”

The 2014 Technology Awareness Program is slated to run from June 22-27. Students interested in applying should contact the Walton College office of diversity and inclusion at 479-575-4557 or email Rebecca Adams at RAdams@walton.uark.edu.