FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2003
FY03-11
ORAU Elects 3 New Members to Consortium
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. –Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is expanding educational opportunities for colleges and universities by electing three new institutions to its consortium, including its first international member.
New members are Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine in London, The Ohio State University and associate member Johnson C. Smith University.
Among the benefits of joining the ORAU consortium, member and associate institutions take part in scientific research programs sponsored or administered by ORAU and benefit from internships, laboratory research and travel grants. ORAU now has 88 member institutions and nine associate members, which are found in 25 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and London.
“Since the consortium’s inception in 1946, ORAU has led the way in bringing together government and academia to further our knowledge of science and continue to expand our nation’s technology infrastructure,” said Dr. Ronald Townsend, ORAU president. “I am delighted that Imperial College sees the value in being a member of ORAU as one way to help facilitate collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory on major research initiatives.”
Imperial College is the consortium’s first international member. Established in 1907, it is an independent constituent of the University of London and its mission includes education and research in science, engineering and medicine.
The Ohio State University, ranked the number one university in Ohio, has over 57,000 students. Its undergraduate programs in business and engineering are among the nation's best, and it recently made commitments to becoming a leader in biomedical research.
"I feel very positive about the value of ORAU and believe that Ohio State will benefit by representation in this important organization," said Dr. Karen Holbrook, Ohio State president.
Johnson C. Smith University was elected as an associate member. Founded in 1867, it is one of the oldest historically black institutions in the United States. Also a private university, it is currently focusing on technologically-enhanced instruction.
ORAU is a university consortium leveraging the scientific strength of major research institutions to advance science and education by partnering with national laboratories, government agencies and private industry. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education for the U.S. Department of Energy.